What I was trying to ask is where did the deer herd get cut in half? Did I misunderstand what you were trying to say?
I can only talk about Illinois from experience and their herd numbers are right where they should be. Yes private land free to hunters is rapidly dissappearing there. The landowners that pay the taxes don't seem to mind the money but some non landowning locals are not happy.

Pennsylvania is kind of unique when it comes to private property. Everywhere else you don't even think about hunting without permission but here in Pa we have all grown up with the mindset that if it aint posted it must be OK to hunt here. I think thats probably going to change here quickly.