"There are new seeds being deposited in pastures all the time."

Not nearly to the extent as those deposited in forested areas. Also, obviously, no stump sprouts. And as i said, compaction due to livestock, machinery etc doesnt help.

"There have been fields reverting from decades in SW PA. At the point you would consider them deer habitat they would also be considered seedling/saplings stands."

At what point do you consider them not? I consider them deer habitat if they provide a significant source of food and or cover. They do so long before reaching the sapling timber stage. In fact, the second the semiwoody brambles etc. begin to appear if not sooner. IN fact deer feed on the grasses and forbes to an extent throughout the winter to some extent as well even prior to fields reverting.

"Quit mowing a field and within five years it will be a jungle of woody vegetation."

Not even close to the extent of a clear cut. (if at all).

"I will provide the definitions of seedling, sapling, seedling/sapling stand and stocked as well as a link to where I lifted them from"

Most of the land being discussed would fall into the percentages in the chart stated as agricultural land/fields etc. bracket. Those are also lands which you excluded when determining harvest per square mile in favor of "forested" only. I think you see why thats not feasible in this type of country. Are you gonna deny that deer are shot in agricultural lands, fields and the other types that i referred to?


"Sapling/seedling stand: A stand-size class of forest land that is stocked with at least 10 percent of minimum full stocking with live trees with half or more of such stocking in saplings or seedlings or both."

Perfectly understood. But what of the areas NOT including 10% of "full minimum stocking". These are the areas I spoke of. That is also only one habitat type spoken of.