Hunted yesterday in Allegheny Co., PA (special regulations area). Turns out there were about 15 hunters on 'our' farm bordering another farm with another dozen or more hunters. When we arrived we didn't know there were that many hunters and as we spread out it seemed everywhere we went there was already someone there. We were kinda bummed out but managed to find a spot without crowding someone out. Someone finally managed to kick a group of 10 does out and the only shots fired were from a 12 year old. He managed to hit a big doe which amazingly dropped two feet from my parents garage. The lucky kid didn't even have to drag the deer. Everyone congratulated him. At lunch time everyone got together and decided to get an organized drive going. This was a first for me, as I'm used to hunting alone. Everyone got into position and waited. Eventually they managed to spook out a group of 5 or 6 deer which ran right into the field where everyone was set up. It sounded like the 4th of July as those who had a shot fired. (I didn't get a chance). One guy said he had to wait until the smoke cleared to see if he hit a deer. Would you believe not one guy got a deer. There were about 25 shots fired! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
The other guys left in the afternoon after deciding that no other deer were in the area.
My uncle decided to go into an untouched area to see if he could drive something towards my hubby and I. I waited in my spot for a long time and nothing happened. I was going to leave but then my brother showed up. He suggested I go to another spot just up the trail cause he figured that's where I should have been. As we stood there I could see 2 deer in the distance. I was told to go to another area where my brother would try to drive them to. They never came out, but my uncle did. Turns out my brother interupted my uncles drive and the deer were chased the wrong way. It was getting late so we called it quits. We get up to the house and my mom said she watched out the window as a big doe slowly walked across the field below the house. She wondered who was going to shoot it because we originally said that someone would be set up watching that field an hour before dark... <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> What a day! 15 adult hunters and a 12 yr. old gets the prize.

At least you were out and had a chance at a deer. SOunds like there is little or no control on the numbers of hunters allowed on the farm. Was this the case all season? That would explain the lack of deer and their spookiness.

Get em next time.

Hunting the wilds of Jersey

Actually no one has ever encountered this many people there. There is usually from 1 to 5 people. I guess everyone who had permission to hunt there decided to show up on the same day. I asked my brother to find out from the other guys when they will be there again. No way will I go again if there's that many hunters. Might go again on New Years Day - crossing my fingers and hoping that all will be quiet. On another note I took a drive to Keystone Lake just before dark. As I turned down the road I seen about 20 deer ready to cross the road and head up the hill to the field behind my property. Didn't see any bucks....<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

Sounded interesting,but for me thats to many people to hunt around.I'm a loner and that kind of blasting can get dangerous and result in bad shots. I would of left.Just my opinion.I dont care for big drives and all out warfare.

I've hunted some crowded spots in Allegheny but never that crowded. WOW! usually the more crowded spots are the ones with NO deer left by this time, they are so spooked.