My opinion for seeing less deer is:
Definitely a lot of poaching. I bow hunted my property 4 weekends in a row and heard many shots at sunset every time.
Also I found the rut to be early this year
I also think the youth weekend makes a big difference. The bucks on my trail cameras were pretty much nocturnal after that. The kids should be allowed to hunt during the regular seasons just like I grew up.
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