the lack of hunters? In some areas the TOTAL lack of hunters. In all my years, I never would have guessed id see what I do this year. Nobody hunting. 5 years ago, I'd see MANY each day on my travels. I've seen a grand total of 2 people out. (Muzzlegun). Was not uncommon to hear 200 shots opening day of gun season. Bet I only heard 25 this year? Not for lack of deer. One disturbing thing I've noticed is lack of youngsters out. Like NONE! What are you fellas seeing?
In the 11 years I've owned my place, my hunter sightings are down. I saw 1 bow hunter this year. That is it. In previous years I'd see 2-3 bow hunters and a couple of gun hunters. Gun shots are down quite a bit as well. When I drive to town and go past some public spots I see vehicles parked and hunters, but not as many as there used to be.
if licenses purchased are any indicator, hunter numbers were up HUGE this year. Anecdotally, most hunters I spoke with also noted a significantly larger-than-average number of hunters on public land this year. Overall a good thing. We need to maintain a certain percentage of hunters to advocate and guide legislation.
Hunting has declined in numbers. For every ten that drop out for whatever reason, only seven are taking their place. That translates into lost revenue all across the board for all levels of government. Plus we are losing influence that we desperately need in these times.
I've been noticing a lack of hunters for a number of years where I hunt, but it's because the deer numbers have fallen so badly, not because of lack of hunters, or interest in hunting. This situation is specific to my public hunting land, I don't know about other areas.
It was the same here as it always is, judging from the shots I heard and the amount of rigs driving the County road near my property during the rut (road hunters).
Lack of hunters around my area big time over the past couple years, both in archery and gun season. Thought this year it Would be crazy but that wasn’t the case. Hunted Ohio public gun and only ran into two guys and no other trucks at the spot, seems off for out there during gun. I have zero pressure out there in archery season too, been like that for the past 7 years.
I know 2 families that sold their multiple generation hunting camps. When you have more wolf tracks than deer tracks deer hunters leave.
Same here in upstate NY. Im seeing way more hunters and deer density shrinking in the last 5 years just like turkey population (not same reason). Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
No lack of hunters here, youth or otherwise. Took a buck to the processor on November 27th, they told me it would be after Christmas before they had it done. Normally they're calling me within two weeks to come pick it up. Spoke to the owners son and he asked if I knew anyone that wanted to learn to butcher...
Can't explain what has happened here? There was just basically NOBODY hunting. Although I just bowhunt, I still get a kick out of watching gunhuntets make drives. Its my mid day pastime. Where it was common to make a 50mile tour along our rivers systems and watch group after group make drives was this year a barren orange landscape. I did not see 1 person out during our 16 day muzzlegun season. I hear the phrase " know one will let me hunt" In the 12 years I've owed my land, I've only had ONE guy call and ask permission. I WANT a few deer taken out so I make phone calls too guys that still have tags.. Crazy!
I believe in this day and age, and especially younger hunters that have been raised in a system that tries to avoid anyone ever getting their feelers hurt or "losing", that they are scared and intimidated to ask someone for permission. They fear facing a negative encounter. Perhaps also a product of this current technology culture where everyone does 75% of their communicating through electronics. Or, they have have asked permission in the past and ran into a super crazy "squirrel squeezer" as I call them that went full on psycho on them and that made them say screw ever asking for permission again.
