I spent the 1st 3 days of archery in southern clinton co. and didnt see many deer...anyone else experiencing the same thing? I attribute this in part to a mast acorn crop(hopefully im right). Spotlighting at night turned up few deer in the fields & im hoping it's because the deer have enough to eat in the woods that they dont have to travel to the fields. But on a good note,,one of the locals who is retired said that he's never seen so many nice bucks in the area as he has seen this past summer,,so maybe last years drastic deer sightings will improve this years season???

just tryin to get an idea of what others are experiencing in the Pa. woods

thanx Mike

I'm not seeing much so far, but the sign is good. I've seen a bunch of good bucks here in the ANF over the summer. The woods are still really green and the areas I'm hunting are very thick, so visibility is limited to begin with and the greenery isn't helping. Once the leaves are down my sightings will likely go way up. Time will tell.

To much food and to much cover,things should start picking up soon.oct 16 is 1 year anniversary i got a big 8 pt been staying away from that area till this sat,maybe lightning will strick twice

IM IN MARYLAND I HAVENT SEEN TO MUCH OF ANYTHING IN THESE DAMN WOODS, LOL I HAVE ONLY BEEN OUT 3 TIMES THIS YEAR BUT I HAVE CORN DOWN AND TRAIL CAMERAS AND THE CAMERAS ARE TAKING PICS OF DEER 24 IN A DAY BUT WHEN WE HUNT NEAR THE AREA NOTHING EVER COMES , OTHER HUNTERS HUNT THE LAND THAT SURROUNDS US WE ONLY HAVE 2 ACERS I THINK THEY ARE PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON MY DEER LOL

It's interesting that last year Alt blamed the low antlered harvest partially on a poor mast crop.Yet,this year guys are seeing less because of a good one.Despite the claim of 1.6 million deer and the claim that our herd has actually increased,there are less deer.Less deer out there=less deer sighted.

My Zone in NJ has been getting hammered with unlimited doe since Sept and a shotgun permit season from Mid Dec to Late Jan. So what do you expect when people hunt these deer from Sept to Feb???? That's right--less deer and less quality bucks all around. Since NJ started these late shotgun slaughters, the herd has dropped along with quality bucks. I wouldnt mind if they did a QDM or restricted the buck take but a hunter can legally shoot 6 bucks in NJ!! Just look at stated like ILL and you get the right idea.

Bob

LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS EXPERIENCING SOME OF THE SAME,,,MAYBE IM JUST RUSHING IT A BIT SINCE LAST YEAR WAS THE 1ST YEAR IN 25 THAT I DIDNT BUST A DEER

THANX FOR THE REPLYS

well i guess im the oddball. I have been seeing quite a few deer so far in PA archery season. Hunting over a fresh cut grassy field have had does in it every night i went so far and each night i see different family's of does. I was lucky enought 2 harvest one on Tuesday night so now i got some freezer meat im going 2 start looking for my buck. Guy thats hunting liek 300yds behind me in the woods said he has seen 6 diff bucks so far this year so i know they r there once the rut kicks in they will hit that field checkin the does so im hopin the does keep coming there. Good luck 2 everyone hope ur deer sightings start goin up and i hope mine keep up!

Deerslayer:
congrats on the freezer meat! just wondering how the acorns are in your area since your seeing deer in the fields?

thanx Mike

i live in jason's area and i must say, i've been seeing a crap load of HUGE bucks. i must admit that i haven't seen near as much quanity this year as compared to past years but i think that PA's quality management is working. not too long ago i saw three BIG bucks in one field...........................but "there aint no big deer in the mountains" from what the campers say lmao.