"But, you simply can’t even compare deer populations between any two areas without also comparing their soil types, forest types, percentage of farmlands, winter conditions, historic deer harvests and both past and present deer management practices."

I understand the differences rsb....But look at those DEER DENSITIES and the ridiculous differences. Not even numbers from the same planet! LOL

"To illustrate that point why don’t you go ahead and compare the deer densities of Pennsylvania against Maine and see how we compare there. Does that mean we have a better management program then Maine of just that we have different conditions and factors that affect deer numbers then what occur in Maine? "

Im quite familiar with Maines "low" deer densities and its because of their latitude. Harsh winters kill a VERY LARGE percentage of their deer in most years. They also do not blame it on the habitat, and do everything they can to help along their population by cutting harvests to allow herd to rebound. Counter to your views of any time there is winter kill the herd should go lower. Their deer numbers have NOTHING to do with too many tags, and NOTHING to do with poor habitat.

There is zero reason tobelieve our state should have every wmu below 25 owdpsm and in mostcases far less. Consider anything you like..Soil composition, its fine at least in some areas of the state like western pa and out east... compared to other areas of the state. Climate...sw pa is as mild as se ohio, which is also milder than many other states with higher deer densities...and there are plenty of areas in other states with similiar forest composition.