I see things getting better in every area where I hunt since 2004.There's no question about it.I live here.I hunt here.Pressure has been way down.Shooting has been way down and the allocations have been cut way back.We've had two easy winters with good mast crops.This all adds up to more future deer and less hunters.

Maybe the conditions don't meet every hunter's expectations but I'm fine with the way things are right now.I'm also seeing much better overall regeneration in areas that are being cut.

You need to take a trip out here and look at the habitat in the areas where so many are complaining about no deer.I'd love to show you these areas.I'd also like to show you areas that are starting to recover since the herd has been cut way back.I can also show you a couple of areas that always had good regeneration despite having alot of deer.They still have me scratching my head.Overall though,we had pitiful habitat and it was hard to get regeneration without putting up a fence.I've always said we had too many deer for too long.I've always agreed with herd reductions but for a long time,I thought we were taking it too far.I don't think that way anymore because there's so much evidence that proves the habitat is way too stressed in this part of the state.I agree that the deer didn't do it all by themselves but at this point,they are one of the biggest limiting factors around here.I'm fine with less deer because I can see positive changes are starting to happen with the habitat.While deer numbers are definately way down compared to several years ago,they still aren't that bad and they're starting climb again.I see it with my own eyes and I have no reason to lie.I also agree that our situation in 2G is much different than your situation in the east.I'm sure there are many places that didn't need to see such drastic reductions.Around here,we needed alot less deer and that's exactly what was happening.The winters of 2003 and 2004 definately compounded the herd reductions and hunters need to recognize that.The PGC has made big changes around here as far as allocations go and the results are already noticeable.I don't know what else to sayother than I'm seeing more deer(alot more)than I did two springs ago.The bitter pill we had to swallow isn't as bitter as many claim,at least in this part of 2G.I predict deer numbers will be almost back to normal around here by the fall of 2007.I know we overwintered alot more deer this year than we have the last couple of years.This years mild winter and mast crop will surely boost recruitment and the slash in antlerless allocations will save alot of deer.Given a decent winter next year,we'll have more than enough deer in 2007.

You use PGC numbers because that's all we have to go by.I know they're the best you have but I still have little faith in them,especially since less than 40% of hunters comply and send in a report card.They do show trends but they don't tell the whole picture.