There's a lot I want to say about this that is better done in person. Not intending to justify poaching, just want to point out that there are plenty of folks who are not at all "poachers", but who were taught their ethics and how to do things by their parents and grandparents in a way that maybe is closer to subsistence hunting than recreational hunting, and the transition isnt like flipping a light switch. Maybe some day we all get to share a beer in an adirondack pulloff next to a frosty swamp and discuss both sides of that coin.
Also, I hear shots at night all the time. I have neighbors that like to drive 4wd roads and shoot guns. It's better than TV, and they're a hoot to party with. Also have gotten my own deer back home well after dark many times myself--shoot that deer midday, drag a few miles and drive 30 or 45 minutes, and it's well after dark. I'm sure sometimes it is a poached deer, but I have a hard time saying most of them arent legit legal deer.
I would never shame anyone for killing to survive. Back woods of Maine was eye opening to me in almost every aspect. It will always be poaching by law definitions, but after spending time in some rural parts, I understand. These were no horn hunter, no social media, not even photos. Now there's 6 of them that apply for a moose tag, but they don't always get picked still, but they still gotta eat. Only label that aptly applies is hungry, and you do what's necessary to remedy that.
...
One "bad" thing about New England is there's too much fun to be had in September/October. I have to pick and choose. Go look for mushrooms? Ocean fishing? Archery hunting? Grouse/woodcock? The trout are hitting hard. Bass on Champlain are too. Bear? Ducks? If so, what kind? There's always Salmon/steelhead by the great lakes too. This year my focus in September is going to be baiting bear in NH. I've got photos of some at the site I cleared already and there's nothing out there.
Aint that the truth! Thankfully in NJ we start goose sept 1 and deer sept 9, can start day fishing freshwater again as it's no longer 95+. But come October stripers come back in, 'real' deer season starts, duck 1st split opens, and fall blade baiting for bass, trout and LL salmon, and they reinstated our week long bow season for bear. I could have the whole month off and still not have enough time.
NJ cant bait for bears this 4 year block of allowed hunts, but they are so thick ( densest black bear population anywhere in North America) you cant help but run into 1... or 5 or 6 in a day. Used to see the VT boys doing swamp drives every year, hope they come back and keep this up.
I guess to keep on topic, the whole reason I go to ADKs, VT, ME is because of open space. There's a lot of gems here in this over crowded state. I just want to stretch my legs with dreams of 200#ers on the next ridge, not the next cul-de-sac.