In WI, there is a lot of public land, just as you describe for PA. Also a lot of hunters, long, deep deer hunting tradition. Up until 20 years ago, even less in some areas, there was also a strong "free access" tradition, where it was fairly easy to get permission on private land. No more. Posted land, leasing, outfitters, etc., is now the rule. A fair amount of land owned by non-hunters, no hunting period. Also in those 20 years, the herd reduction has taken place, but not antler restrictions like in PA. Lot of the private land is "QDM", and that's spilling over onto public also, with all the hype guys are just not shooting as many small bucks period, no matter where they're hunting.

I know of a few agricultural tracts up near Rhinelander that were just covered with deer. Nobody could hunt except a select few for gun, they'd take one or two deer out of hundreds, and they were like livestock, herds of them just hanging around out in the fields 24/7.

Hunter numbers in WI are declining. They probably will in PA too. My take on all this is just to roll with the punches. I hunt public land, and I can find good hunting with some effort. My expectations are low. I know there's plenty of deer on public land, and Iknow there are good bucks, but I expect to get skunked a lot, shoot small deer when they come by, work hard for the deer I get. If I get a big one, it's because it's a gift, not because of anything I did particularly right. Come new years, my freezer is almost always full.

I'm worried about conflicts with other hunters. I carry a cell phone and firearm at all times. I try to avoid confrontation at all costs, and don't screw with people. My broadheads are always razor sharp.