Hello Dan -

I' ve been reading the post the last couple weeks - I had trouble accessing the site from home - but have that fixed now.

You are in a bit of a pinch - it would be Nice if the Province would micro-manage a bit more - probably not too far off in the future.

3ft snow/year sounds pretty light - so the weather isn' t likely the deciding factor on deer population. From your posts, you personally and your area has good forage ( alfalfa, clover, apples, etc - Plus browse) - so thats not it - Canada in general has " light hunting preessure" as far as I know - So what is keeping you deer at 25 deer/square mile??? is it poaching? Maybe Predation by coyotes &/or bear?


Whatever it is - might really justify limited doe harvest - It really sounds alot like our situation was in Central NY in the 1970s - when the herd was just starting to grow fast. Of course that changed in the 1990s.


We estimate 40 deer/square mile - min., - and average 10-12 ft of snow/year where I am. This year - 153" - but winterkill still appears to be less than 10%. Our range is Predominatly abandoned and active Dairy Farm land.


Personally, your QDM philosophy should be to harvest older bucks when possible - and keep tabs on your government' s short & long term goals regarding deer harvest.

good luck