I am fortunate to have a couple hundred acres to hunt here in MD, and have observed the same thing. No hunters, no shooting and no deer. This past Monday I walked the entire length of the property along the river... NOTHING. I walked along the property line to the bottom of a ridge. Took a stand for more than a couple hours... NOTHING. Walked the bottom portion of the ridge half way back to where I started... NOTHING. Up to the top of the ridge and along the edge... Nothing. Back and forth through the hill top hard woods... NOTHING. No tails, no shots, no hunters. On this property it is rare not to at least see a tail. I know this property gets hunted pretty hard during gun season and my best guess is at least a dozen or more were taken out. On the muzzel loader opener there were at least five other hunters here. No shots no deer. I'll be back out Thurs., Friday, and Sat. I have to get a least one more in the freezer.