I agree 100% that the forest needs to be opened up to have regeneration.

As a matter of fact, keying on logged areas has been the key to our success in 2F.

Whats the ideal deer density? I dont know. I do believe it must be tailored to an individual area and I've always agreed with the idea that smaller WMU's would work better. I think the county system is not the answer either but smaller WMU's would help and counties were smaller WMU's

Nice pic by the way. I logged 2 acres around my camp last year and so I have a little plot going kinda like you do. We were up to our ears in deer poop this year! I think they were in my spot for bedding cover from the tops just as much as for the new growth.