I think you guys are missing the point about this study.It isn't to show that hunters are lazy and don't go after the deer.That area is rugged and I for one would travel back through three steep ravines to drag a doe out.It doesn't matter that hunters may be passing on does.What matters is that hunters aren't killing them and the population is still low.That's all it shows.Something is keeping the herd down and it isn't the hunters.Most likely it's the habitat.

Sproul,once again,I fail to see your reasoning.On one hand you complain that hords of hunters are killing every doe and fawn around.then you turn around and say guys aren't letting hunters shoot does.Which is it?You also need to get off the coyote kick.They've been around for alot longer than 8 years.Do they have an effect?Sure,but they have alot more of an effect in poor habitat.

About the only thing Iagree withwhat you said is that you don't have to go far from the roads to kill a deer.I rarely hunt more than 1/4 mile from the road andI kill deer on public land every year.However,if the deer are close to the roads,you should be able to find them further back in,if the habitat is good.I've yet get that desperate except for a few areas,but they're all downhill drags.i know a couple spots on state forest land that we kill kill several deer every year and they aren't more than 150 yards from a road.

Germain,There is no doubt what so ever that the herd started to get reduced fast after the first year of concurrent seasons.It got reduced the fastest in areas like Rockton mountain becauseit's so open.Then the winters of 2003 and 2004 came.If you ever noticed,that's when all the complaints really started.We have had two mild winters and the herd is definately starting to increase.There's no question about it.I drove through that area yesterday,on the way to my inlaws.That habitat is just pitiful man.There is nothing for the deer to eat up there this time of year.That picture of the area you cut is exactly what I'd expect to see once the herd has been decreased.Thank HR for that regeneration.We need to get together one of these weekends.Maybe a late season grouse hunt is in order.