Page 8 I agreed about hunting pressure This is where NY, MI and PA have the biggest issue IMO. Hunter numbers, a lot of guys in the Midwest just do not understand IMO. Iowa deer management is more about the gun season IMO.

Move MI gun season out of the rut, and banned baiting and we have a whole new ball game.
When is NY gun season?

When is Montana Gun season?
How long is it?

If Montana practice Iowa deer managemment, they would still have a pile of deer. YOu seem to forget most DNR are trying to keep deer at capacity or just below it. Was Montana trying to grow their herd?
I don't and have never looked at Montana deer managemment. Plus lots not forget you were on a private 15,000 acre lease ranch. Hell I can show you places just like that here in MI. I know of a few buck only ranches in the NLP.

I am disagreeing there is a more deer under TDM

The question is
What is the best answer for your state, if you think it is TDM, start to lobby the DEC Being about every deer biologist, and the top ones in the country do not agree, good luck.

I tend look at other states that are similar to my own.
PA
NY
WIS
Minn
ILL

I look at other states in the area, you have said it yourself LOCATION. The best locations have a lot of things is common.

Habitat
Food source
deer management
Gun seasons
Lower Hunter numbers

Indiana was not a big buck state until they made a move 5 years ago.
OBR
deer management.
Ever been to a Indiana forum? Most of the guys take deer mangment very serious.

If you think 15,000 private leased ranch has great deer management for your state, get some of those DEC boys out there to take a look

The question is what is best for the deer of NY, and what is best for the hunters?
Good Luck, hey great thing Atlas is if you buy your own land you can manage it how you want!!