Pretty much how I see things. Those who are unhappy today, won't adapt to fewer deer, because they came to feel they were entitled to those higher numbers.
The issue isn't whether hunters were spoiled by high DDs in the past. The real issue is if the massive statewide HR was necessary based on the 3 reasons the PGC listed as the reasons why the herd had to be reduced: herd health, forest health and deer human conflicts.
Herd health decreased as the herd was reduced ,so that was not a valid reason for reducing the herd. Where the herd has been reduced the most,2G, forest health is still rated as poor ,so forest health was not a valid reason to reduce the herd. Deer human conflicts were low in 2G ,before HR began so that was not a valid reason for reducing the herd. That leaves re-certification of DCNR forest land as the real reason the herd was reduced and that means the unhappy hunters have a valid reason to be upset about the way our herd is being managed.