I think that after having to ask hunters to come back last year because of the "lack of harvest", and realizing that the deadline was on a weekend, and knowing so many of their applicants post mark their apps on the last day, and not wanting to have to extend the season two weeks like last year, they felt the need to move the deadline to the 17th. I predict even fewer hunters make the drive this year than last year, even though they draw. Fuel prices are going to make hunters limit their number of travels, I generally go 4 or 5 times each year, thats going to be expensive this year.