N8tureBoy's Link
When that program began you have to take into account it was in the "prime" of ridiculously high deer numbers in FF County; that's where the greatest demand was and if you got in early in the game chances were good you'd have a sweet spot for years to come.
Like anything along these lines, the later you got in the game the less your chances of scoring; it becomes a numbers game.
I've always advised any who asked about signing up that in my opinion nothing beats knocking on doors yourself; number one it's a more personal approach and it gives the landowner the chance to size up someone who's asking to be trusted to be responsible on their property. Second, you've got the opportunity to evaluate nearby properties as well and knock on those doors; each potential spot increases the odds in your favor.
There are still pockets other than FF County with good deer numbers that are worth a look, Windham County being one as well as parts of Middlesex County. Any decent-sized property that abuts State land or Water Company land is worth a look; pressured deer are going to use some kind of escape route and with the right kind of topography and cover a small piece of land could turn out to be a gold mine.
Good luck!
Yes; that program had one major disconnect and that was the involvement of the New Canaan PD in the process. Instead of being a conduit to link property owners and bow hunters they were more often an obstacle to the process.
There were other issues as well going back to the people who ran the program prior to when I took it on; when I called the people on the list I was amazed to find many had never been called yet there were people who had more than one property to hunt.
I recall you and Dave coming up to Harwinton for a qualifying shoot; long drive for you both to not get a property. I know a number of people were frustrated by the lack of placement on properties, hence my advice since those days to put your faith in yourself and not rely on someone else.