By my observation the draw seems to be fair and reasonable. We have entered this ballot every couple of years since 1994 and managed to secure a dozen or so very memorable days up there. In one stretch we did 5 consecutive years, then missed out for a couple of years. The deer numbers appear to have increased - either that or my skills have improved. As luck would have it we've only ever shot a couple of deer however there have been many opportunities to sit and observe them moving around the blocks. On the last trip two years ago we saw more than 70 deer on our block. The year before that we saw over 60, most of them at dusk.
If you go in with the attitude that you're heading up there for a nice days' walk in the forest and that securing a deer is just a nice a bonus, then you won't be disappointed. It's a great way to spend a winters day when instead you might only be sitting in front of the TV or strolling the mall.
While I've not personally had the opportunity to use their "take a kid hunting" option, I commend the committee for bringing this to fruition and I hope plenty of hunters take up this excellent way to get kids into our recreation.
Get into it.
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