DoctariAFC To my knowledge there has been no changes, this is the first year I have hunted the property but I have been involved with the property IE scouting putting up stands etc.. for a couple of years, The property is surrounded on 3 sides by farm land which is not hunting in the off seasons and the people that I have spoken to live on the farms and own a camp nearby, the property owner where I hunt doesn't hunt but even she has noticed fewer deer in her maintained area (yard) based on her info as well as the others and my hunting experience this last season I would have to say there are less deer there. I was surprised while scouting the few tracks I saw. The reason for hunting the area at all was it is close to home and it was my wifes first time that was could hunt rifle together. As far as credible I think that the people who have been hunting that area since the 60's would know if the deer population has fallen off not just "here say".
What else does the DEC rely on besides what the people who live in the area tell them? They aren't out tracking the movements of the deer in every area in the state nor can they rely upon the number of deer reported, as not everyone does what is right and reports their kills.