Friday I saw 2 guys parking at one spot down the road from where I hunt. Saturday there was a truck at a different spot. I pass 6 parking spots that could have trucks but the rest were all empty. I circled the block leaving yesterday and did finally see 2 guys that had been in on the property to my south, but no other pressure. Friday and Saturday were 2 of the best weather days for the week in my parts. 30's-40's overcast and sunny. Winds were rather calm. If there was to be pressure and people out I figured it would have been then.
Explanation as to why, I don't really know. If money were tight for me or if I were out of work, I know I would be in the woods putting meat in the freezer (assuming I could find a deer). I am not talking about taking road trips to hunt other parts of the state but staying close to home is what I would be doing. So I tend to not think the economy is the driving factor here. I admitt the weather Mon-Wed would have kept many out of the woods but how many folks have that much flexibility with vacation time? So were a bunch of hunters off work sitting at home or was everyone able to re-schedule days. I feel fortunate that I believe I have a tremendous amount of flexibility scheduling/using my days. I don't believe many are as fortunate.
I believe it is a combination of factors. Perhaps economic times have some not traveling as far to hunt where they once did (NR's primarily). License/permit sales figures at the end of the season will shed light here. I believe weather is a component but that wouldn't explain the lack of hunters some of us are witnessing during the later part of the week and this weekend. Lastly, I think most importantly as Joe pointed out, lack of deer sightings will drive folks that would typically only head out for this week away.