Germain,you're correct about what grew back after that tornado.It was mainly junk but it did provide some browse and alot of cover.That blowdown area washuge that it overwhelmed the deer and the herd multiplied during the mild winters of the 90's.That area is now getting into the pole timber stage and is far less beneficial to the deer.There's still plentyof deer in there but they're just hard tofind.I hunt grouse in there alot and you can criss cross through there all day and never see a deer.The sign is always present though,so I knowmore than a few are in there.I hunted that area in the first day of archery season this past year and had no problem arrowing a deer.I saw 6 deer by 8:00am which is more than I saw in one day on private land where I also hunt.the FLIR results will be out soon and that's one area that they flew over.

I don't think anyone will argue with you about light being an imprtant factor for regeneration.I also don't doubt that youare seeing excellent regeneration after opening up the canopy near your camp.Now that the herd's down,I'm seeing the same thing all over.Had you done that back in 1995,I think you'd see much different results.Still,there are many shade tolerant speies that should be presentunder a mature canopy.Those species disappeared long ago because of too many deer.Check out the area near Kelly Cellar that was fenced up until two years ago.There's 100 acres that's as thick as anything I've ever seen.Granted,it's all red maple at this point because a host of other factors effected the oak regeneration.However,it still illustrates what kind of regeneration you can expect with lower deer impact.I didn't want to believe it either,but the deer have had a huge impact on the habitat in this area of the state.The didn't causethe damage all by themselves but at this point,they're one of the biggest limiting factors.Once the habitat gets to the point where it is now,the carrying capacity is diminished and it takes less deer to further impact the regeneration.

I also agree with you that the herd is way down from the area near your camp all the way accross Rocton mountain.That's a huge area with many area of tough access.No way did the hunters reduce the herd all by themselves in that area.Hunting pressure has been way down in thatarea.The habitat is so poor,recruitment has certainly been effected.Back in the early nineties,it was nothing to see 100 deer grazing on the side of the road from the top of Rocton mountain until you reached Mitches restaraunt.Those years of high deer numbers definately took it's toll on the habitat.Unless the deer like mountain laurel,there's not much else to eat without a good mast crop.

I'm not crazy about the liberal appointees running DCNR myself.I'm not sure of their motives but I've yet to see any proof that they want to do away with hunting.