We have a similar problem in south florida with Panthers.
This ismy reply to another thread of a similar subject...

The successful introduction of predators into a hunting area will mean the end of hunting as youknow it.
With in a couple of years we lost the hog population completely. This is an area that over 700,000 acres with an additional 500,000 or better adjacent. We went from seeing plenty of hogs ot none in a very short period of time and the same happened to all ground dwelling critters raccoons , armadillos , otters etc.

With the demise of feral hogs in the everglades well all knew that it was only a matter of time before the deer herd started showing signs of decreasing numbers and this season we are seeing this first hand.

The decision was made to have panthers in Florida.
"What purpose does having the Panther serve in the Ecosystem as a whole?" Panthers no longer serve as an important part of the ecosystem as hunting thins out the white-tailed deer herd butsomebiologists like the idea of having panthers in the ecosystem.
The fact is that there arevery few true Florida Panthers and in 10 years there would be none as the Texas cougar gene would overtake the Florida Panther gene. At which point the scientific name for the panther now in Florida as Felix concolor stanleyana, which is the scientific name for the Texas Cougar~ The scientific name for the Florida Panther is Felix concalor coryi.

Questions have been asked as to whether they are dangerous to humans.
Generally not to adults, particularly if they are in groups. Panthers attack according to prey size. They would attack children and small adults, especially a small adult bent over. Studies have been done regarding panther behavior towards childrenwith panthers in captivity. When children entered the area where panthers are caged, the panthers would crouch down and go into stalking mode until the children leave the area.

Studies have shown that there is a much higher number of panthers than previously thought. Panthers are being sighted everywhere. Studies have show that 97% of the hogs are now gone,95% of the racoons are gone· These two animals are primary prey species of panthers. Utilizing deer counts frominformation gathered trom hunters, the deer herd has apparently dropped by 35% over the past two years. There are much fewer deer tracks,raccoon tracks,fewer road kills of raccoons.
Based on this information, the following was calculated: .

Adult panthers require about 100 lbs. of meat per week, as stated in National Geographic's television series Explorer Episode titled. "Killer Cats". Female panthers with kittens require 200 lbs. per week while caring for the kittens.
Panthers eat wild hogs, raccoons, and deer.One deer equals approximately 100 Ibs. of meat. It takes two small hogs or 15 raccoons to equal one deer or 100 lbs. ofmeat from raccoons, or any combination of the above.
These numbers would increase for a female panther with kittens.

Using the State's figure of 80 panthers in the Preserve ( the number is closer to 220), this means 3,280 deer or 6,360 hogs or 47,800 raccoons. This is just for 'adult panthers, does not include female panthers with kittens .....
There are approximately 4,000 deer, plus or minus 10%, in the Preserve.
Have panthers reachedcarrying capacity or exceeded it?
Many believe they have reached carrying capacity and many are reporting sightings , were 10 years ago a sighting was extremely rare.
A major concern we've had for the last couple of yearsis that the deer herd is taking a hit due to panther predation and the dwindelling numbers support that suspicion.

Beware of any agency or wildlife group trying to push any predator introduction in your state because you may not like the long term results.
Your hunting license fees will be nothing more than a permit to legally carry a firearm in the woods during hunting season.

Happy Hunting..