One thing I havent seen discussed is that as the density of does is reduced so does the success rate of the hunters. Doe permit systems are based on a percentage of hunter success. This is evidenced in the numbers jcchartboy posted. 2003 was a 45 % success ratio. 2004 was a 26 percent ratio. So in theory you need more permits to kill the same amount of deer than you did the year before.
Now we canassume thesuccess rate will be 26 % or less this year. With 52,000 permits out the planned doe harvest is 13,500. The actual harvest will probably be less.

26% is a pretty good number compared to where I come from. Here in Mass we average 10 to 15 % success rate state wide for all hunters on all deer, bucks and does.

To me it looks like the herd is beginning to get where it needs to be. Nothing is perfect, especially change,and there are going to be areas thinner and thicker with deer.It will take time to balance out. 4 of 5 years is nothing in the big scale of things. Your experts know what they are doing and the rabble rousers only make the job tougher.