Early numbers show deer decline

[TScottW99]

But preliminary deer kill figures compiled by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, while indicating that the deer kill was likely down statewide by a few percentage points, seem to indicate that the state's herd is still in pretty good shape.

Article here >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/wb/318975

[Machias]

I just moved here the beginning of Aug, which makes it harder on a guy trying to learn new grounds. Add the fact that I only got to hunt one day a week (still cannot believe you guys have suffered all these years with the No Sunday Hunting BS), but in 34 years of chasing whitetails, this was by far the worst hunting I have ever experienced. Never saw a single deer while hunting this year. I've hunted some pretty sparse whitetail populations in northern ID, but never went 3 months without seeing a deer...of course that only translates into 12 days of hunting.

[dusterdude]

Wow,a friend of mine cleaned up this year

[Halo1va]

Not sure what has happened but I didnt kill any deer in Va this year.

I hunt in Frederick County on a couple different properties but also hunt in Maryland once or twice a year. I hunted opening day of each season without seeing any. The previous couple years, I killed two on each opening day. In fact, I didnt see any deer in Va until December and saw a total of 14 deer while hunting all year in Va. They were all small does and didnt want to shoot.

As a consolation, I did see and shoot my first deer of the year in Md in early November. Good thing it was a nice heavy 8 pointer. Was also able to take a big doe later one that same day.

[Machias]

Nice congrats on the big boy and the doe!

[Rumson]

I think coyotes are starting to have an effect.. No data to prove it though..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... uQDH_fPydQ

This happens more then we know.. Imagine how easy it would be to take down a fawn.. He'll, my black labs that have since passed have taken down small dear..

[arab1302]

I just moved here the beginning of Aug, which makes it harder on a guy trying to learn new grounds. Add the fact that I only got to hunt one day a week (still cannot believe you guys have suffered all these years with the No Sunday Hunting BS), but in 34 years of chasing whitetails, this was by far the worst hunting I have ever experienced. Never saw a single deer while hunting this year. I've hunted some pretty sparse whitetail populations in northern ID, but never went 3 months without seeing a deer...of course that only translates into 12 days of hunting.

It is because they are all in my back yard.

[Machias]