People messing with your stuff left in the back country is not a joke! For some this may be their life line and the difference between someone getting stuck in the middle of know where far from a camp. I take this type of thing very seriously.
I have one question about the deer being higher up in the mountains. Do they come down to winterin bigger or smaller groups? Also when does the rut start or when do they start the chase phase? Why can'tyou go up and get them or at least try to get farther up and head some of them offon the transition down to the foot hills?