I still like my fleece. I've been through the down phase (a long time ago). That's why we layer. Plus down is still susceptible to moisture--be it from sweating or from the sky.....
I area ski and backcountry ski, and every article of clothing I wear is synthetic. And I have a fleece vest mid-layer for every activity.
Backountry skiing can be the ultimate test, climbing (lots of sweating) but in windy conditions in varying temps, skiing down--still can be work but windy and lots of snow pouring on you--especially when I crash....... Of course, unlike hunting I have hardshell coat and pants on to shed snow.
For hunting I like fleece because it tends drape and is quiet. Even my cold weather hunting coat is a Cabela's fleece-Gore Tex coat from the mid 90's (Remember the Whitetail Series with Chuck Adams smiling mug shot?). Love that coat--I own two of them in fact.
Casey
