My opinion, habitat is the biggest problem. Less and less farms and edge coverout west and the forests just get more and more mature. There is some logging going on in some areas so that will help. But most public lands, epsecially state parksare past prime deer habitat, so deerdesnities get lower.

Winters are also allot harsher than compared to eastern MA. Colder and longer, plus more snow usually. And if there is no browse near the yarding areas that cuts them down. Add crust to the deep snow and you geta coyote feed fest.

Its funny too..back in the day most deer hunters drove west to hunt the Berks or CT river valley. You had a hard time getting a hotel room the night before opening day of gun season! Not anymore...

there are still some great areas with good amounts of deer, especially in zone 3, but allot of it is private.

East, MAhas allot of edge cover and milder winters. Really helps with deer density. problem is getting a sizable area to gun hunt that isn't pounded.