Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Unsuccessful PA rifle season

Guess it all comes down to what part of the state one is hunting in. Used to hunt adjoining areas in SE Lackawanna County/Springbrook and NE Luzerne County/Suscon and Thornhurst in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Could count 200 shots by 9am on opening day and another 100 shots or so during the course of the day. Now 20 to 25 shots the whole day. Granted hunter numbers are not what they used to be, but something else has also changed. The deer herd is not anywhere near what it used to be in this area. Hunting 2 or 3 days without seeing a tail can be discouraging. Lots of bears, there were a couple regularly being seen hanging around town.