"Just a question,no one know how many deer are out there so to say we want a 20% increase is tough.I mean what's 20% over a number we don't know?Therefore,what deer density would hunters think is acceptable?"
I just threw that percentage out there for conversation sake, it would be better probably if that varied from area to area of course, but for this wmu id think it appropriate or in the ballpark.
Pgc does estimate deer herd density per wmu on the annual reports. 20% increase to the overwinter herd would be a helluva lot lower than the 50%+ reduction we've experience thusfar in this particular wmu. Not only is it a lower percentage, but a lower percentage of a lower number, so we'd still be nowhere hear where we started. If thats not reasonable, i dont know what is. But it would accomplish some things aside from only a few more deer. It would restore some faith in the agency among hunters. Just as important it would mean the decline had ceased. Something that hasnt necessarily occurred despite claims of "stabilization".