I am (or at least was, back when I had the time) a hunter. Grew up in the Northeast, going after mainly woodcock (They're an awfully tasty bird and fun to shoot at, especially with something light like 20 or a .410!) and the occasional deer. My father and I shot a bear once - just once - because it was the most miserable drag out of the woods that I've ever experienced. :-) There's nothing on a bear to grab on to!
With all of the time I spent in the woods, I've never been peppered. My family are all hunters. I've never heard them mention getting 'peppered' either. Wonder if hunters in my neck of the woods were more responsible (unlikely), or maybe there are just less of them (more likely).
Third factor you may not have thought about:
Maybe the folks in your neck of the woods have been luckier.