I haven't heard of the actual numbers before; that's interesting. The rise in overpopulated areas seems like a good example of density-dependent mortality. Deer are considered by ecologists as k-selected species, meaning they remain atnumbers at or slightly below the range carrying capacity (K). Populations constantly fluctuate and there are several reasons for overpopulation. Regardless,as the numbers get close to carrying capacity, somethings got to give. Food begins to run out and it becomes hard for does to survive ontheir own, much less contribute to offspring.

I've never heard much of the abandonment, I'm going to check into that. What usually happens in these cases isjust reducedproduction. Iffood resources are low duringearlygestation, thedoes will actually reabsorb one or both of theembryos. Twins arethe norm during a normal year.This is why in bad years you may often seedoes with only one fawn.

To take this a step further, there is actually an ecological theory that animals CHOOSE not to reproduce in stressful years.I personally believe that the instinctualdrive to pass on genes is too much for an animal, besideshumans,to choose.

Just my thoughts. I apologize for getting philosophical about this, but I enjoy my job.