Not to put a damper on this but I have a different opinion. I mean, I enjoy the hunting again aspect of it, but I sometimes feel sorry for the deer. They've just made it through two weeks (or whatever) of gun seasons, gang deer drives, constant road hunters, etc.. Ground cover/ security is now minimal with the foliage dropped and they are even more so visible if there's snow on the ground. Then they "yard up" at the remaining primary food sources only to find the muzzleloader guys with their scoped 200 yd. efficiency one-shot rifles are laying in ambush. No offence to anyone else's opinion but I find myself backing off more and more during late seasons in recent years. It's like I'm afraid of entering the timber in fear of bumping deer out in the open where they are vulnerable. Not to mention I've talked to guys who have found shed antlers already. bw