its all about the money, thats why there are so many tags. check the harvest results and you can get a better idea about deer hunting opportunities. that being said this is probably and argueably one of the most diversified hunting areas in the west, I hunt all year long , mostly pigs/coyotes then archery deer than rifle deer and bear. the most productive hunting is at least 4 hrs north of San Diego. if you come in the summer ocean fishing is outstanding and freshwater fishing is good all year. I'm from upstate NY so it took a while for me to get used to this kind of hunting, when I moved out here I couldn't wait to get to the "national forest " figureing it would be like home heavily forested, it's forested all right but with people and cactus instead of trees, I'm not complaining just explaining, I've learned to love it here. If you decide to visit and have time I'll be glad to show you around, [email protected]