Thanks everyone for the replies. Your thoughts are similar to the conclusions I'm coming to on my own. Although I like modern firearm its just too crowded out there....kinda the "Blue Creek" of hunting.

I did the "high buck" hunt last month and that was fun. I didn't see anyone in the woods although I saw signs that people had been through the area I hunted earlier. As usual my partner and I didn't get very much scouting in prior to the season and this worked against us.

Unless I do the high buck again next year, I may try muzzle loading. It looks like a good way to get out in the woods without the company of so many others. Archery would be fun, but I don't have the time or the space to practice.