Anyone else have a craptastic hunting season?

[.357 shooter]

Here is the issue I have with an early southern zone muzzleloader season. You wont have the quiet hunting season you hope for. Because here even in the late season the hunters push in large groups, and it won't matter what muzzleloader you restrict. We have small wood lots that are easy to cover when they push. So all your going to do is extend the firearms season. Jus so you know I bow hunt a little, but fall turkey hunt more than bow. I really love to hunt with a handgun during firearms. I hunt solo, still hunting mostly.

Bryan

[ironglow]

   Worst in a long time..
    I own some great deer land about 5 miles from my house..about 13 long, skinny, wooded acres where deer almost have to go through to go north or south.
    There is a meadow on the west and a swamp/creek on the east. I have had a working agreement with neighbors that we hunt each others land freely.
  That is, about 2-3 hunters on each of my 4 borders. This year the folks on the west, who own only the meadow, had a whole "task force" out hunting, starting with
   bow season (where they had a "baited" stand at the corner of my woods).
   I didn't mind too much, since I only hunt rifle...But then gun season came and more..perhaps 12-13 young men, in all were hunting, mostly of course upon others land..running ATVs all over the place.
  OK, so I'm an old (71) retired guy..I'll stay home and let them have the first couple days. To my surprise, they did not let up, but hunted the season through..effectively
  shutting me out..( I don't know when, where or if they ever work ).
   
  Adding insult to injury, where they had their tree stand was my favorite spot..but I didn't want to be caught hunting around a big salt block.

   I decided to go to a farm of which I know the owner..did a lot of walking (and ravine climbing) in very rough territory of course carrying my rifle etc.

    ended up with a VERY sore back..that effectively ended my season.
         
   Next year, if that tree stand is in place and baited..the DEC gets a call !