RSB just loves to blame the hunters for the poor habitat in 2G , but the facts tell a different story. According to the PGC WMU 2G was at its gaol of 15 DPSM before Alt implemented the current HR plan.
Table 2. Winter deer density goals and estimated winter densities from Jan
1999 through Jan 2003 for Pennsylvania. Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 5D
is excluded due to limited harvest data.
Post-hunt deer density estimate (Jan)b
WMU Goala 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
1A 9 20 23 23 24 26
1B 12 22 25 25 25 25
2A 13 36 39 38 37 36
2B 10 24 26 28 28 30
2C 15 23 26 27 30 31
2D 14 31 33 31 31 29
2E 14 25 26 25 25 24
2F 17 27 30 28 27 24
2G 15 14 15 14 13 12
3A 15 23 26 28 30 31
3B 13 21 24 26 28 29
3C 14 24 27 28 28 28
3D 13 16 19 21 22 23
4A 15 25 28 28 29 30
4B 11 20 23 24 27 29
4C 12 20 23 24 25 26
4D 14 20 23 22 23 24
4E 11 19 21 22 23 23
5A 8 14 16 18 19 21
5B 5 13 15 16 17 17
5C 6 17 18 19 19 19
aEstimated population density that can be supported during winter without
over-browsing forest habitats, estimated from forest composition data.
bMinimum deer density estimates derived from simulation modeling.
Then look at the difference in the densities in 2F compared to 2G. Did the hunters in 2F prevent the PGC from reducing the herd in 2F or was the PGC responsible for the difference.