Winter range in the deep snow states usually involves dense conifer woods like swamps and protected valleys. The deer migrate and concentrate to these areas because it provides shelter from the wind and there is usually abundant browse. I have gone in some of them in the spring after the snow is gone and the deer droppings are steady all along what was run ways in the deep snow. It shows that they will stay in that small area to live until the snow goes away unless they are pushed out. They do this to conserve energy. People going into these yards in the winter will push the deer out causing them to expend energy needlessly. IMO it is a good call on the DEC guys and the shed hunter was wrong to harass the deer. He should have known better.