But, even those increases can’t come close to overriding the sample size changes from those southern areas over the past decade.
The changes in sample size over the past decade isn't relevant. What is relevant is the change from 2003 to 2007 ,which is when the breeding rates declined as a result of HR. If even a few WMUs had even a 10% decrease it would far outweigh the negative effect od reduced sample size in areas with higher breeding rates.
Listening to hunters it seems most of them are saying that we have had far fewer deer during the years since 2000 and the harvest records indicate is undoubtedly true.
Now you are just being silly . We set record buck harvests in 2000 and 2001.