The size of the deer herd in various parts of unit 2G, just like all other areas of the state, varies between much higher then 10 deer per square mile to much lower then 10 deer per square mile depending on the quality of the various habitats surrounding the area in question. There are areas of unit 2G with way more then even 40 deer per square mile but there are also massive areas with way less then 10 deer pre square mile. The area of the link undoubtedly has some of the best and some of the poorer habitat types indicative of the unit.

Obviously if the deer population, within the West Branchlink area,is only at twenty deer per square milewhile hunters are only harvesting 3.37 deer (2.11 antler less and 1.26 antlered) it is the habitat and environmental conditions controlling their deer numbers. If it weren’t the quality of the habitat controlling the deer numbers there should be at least three or four times that many deer living on that tract of land.

Certainly anyone with even a tiny bit of common sense would realize that hunters harvesting only 2.11 per square mile out of a herd of twenty deer per square mile doesn’t equate to an over harvest of the does.

So, since it is so obvious the does, nor the total deer herds, is being over harvested just what do you suppose is preventing the deer from increasing since you don’t believe it could be the poor habitat and environmental conditions keeping the herd from increasing?

R.S. Bodenhorn