HuntingNet.com Forums - Cortland County

Hello I hunt Cortland county, have 75acres & camp bordering state land. In the last 3yrs I've noticed less deer, and turkey sightings. It would appear the yrs of issueing double permits has cut back too much on the deer in 7M. This was apparent with only landowner permits being issued for antlerless deer for 2004. But I still manage to see a few nice bucks each season. But never been lucky enough to get a shot at one of those nice bucks. I mainly bowhunt the property. I've noticed a increase in coyotes in our area also. This year was the worst, the daring critters had the guts to yip all night right outside our camp during archery season. Come shotgun we never saw a one to shoot. The problem with Cortland county is it has numerous spots of public land hunting. This seems to attract more hunters, and the private farmers & landowners post their land, and won't give permission. We've drove around the area at night after a full day of bowhunting, and not seeing squat to spotlight 50-60 deer on these private farms. We've also heard reports of poachers using shotguns & rifles during bow season to hunt deer. But this is my area, so I can't say for sure where your looking at. Where abouts you looking at, township?