I did a bit of analysis of the harvest figures, comparing this year with the year before (2004 and 2005).
Total for the state 2004 2005 % decrease

Antlered deer 124,410 120,500 -3.4%

Antlerless deer 284,910 233,890 -16%

Total kill 409,320 364,390 -13.5%


Some WMU figures were down more than the average and some were down less. What really frosts my Post Toasties is that the reporting rate statewide was about 40%. This means that 60% of our "sportsmen" are too lazy to mail in a postage free postcard, and then want to grouse about how inaccurate the estimates are. Sad commentary on our sport, isn't it.

Further, it would appear that those who said that there aren't any deer were blowing smoke as usual. In 2C, where posters are saying that there aren't any deer, over 20,000 total deer were taken. Somebody must be seeing them. Maybe it's the hunters who spend time in the woods who are getting all the deer? Hard to shoot them when you are in the cabin drinking brewskis, or at home on the 'puter griping on some message board. Ah well. Let the party begin. I for one am looking forward to next deer season, and the total kill in my WMU was down 28% from that in 2004.