ORIGINAL: nyflyer
have hunted the northcentral counties of PA. since 1980 and it is a known fact that that part of the states deer herd has seen a drop in numbers since the mid to late 80's. not just since 2000. I see by looking over most of your post you seem to have some sort of a vendetta against the PGC. so I won't be wasting my time descussing sound deer management practises with you anymore.
drop in deer numbers in 80s was do to locals not being able to stop doe killing.
we used to only see a few hunters and most were local.
then in came the out of area hunters and,you right, numbers went down.
i can remember we left 19 or so deer go in area i hunted for 40 years or so.
we always did.
in came crew from out of area and shot a lot of those doe,then they left.
after that, in 80s,the doe never could get a real start back to the numbers they were.
now, you have all these areas or counties in WMU2G.
i get hunters from ,centre, potter, lycoming,clinton,cameron hunting in say,CLINTON COUNTY.
we used to be able to keep the doe tags for locals in clinton county.
locals WOULD NOT SHOOT OFF THE HERD.
thats why you have less deer or no deer,its not habitat even tho i agree its not best for large herd of deer,its OVERHARVEST OF DOE/FAWNS and all new hunters that DONT CARE IF 1 LIVING DEER IS LEFT.