However,the deer also certainly played a major role in the condition of the habitat today.It's a proven fact.
The condition of the habitat in the vast majority of the state is just fine and dandy. The condition of the habitat in pole timber will always be bad for deer no matter how many deer we have. The condition of the habitat in half of the land managed by DCNR will always be bad since no timbering will be permitted.
Todays habitat can support over 1.6 M deer ,so if you want to blame the deer for creating that kind of habitat , that is fine with me. Of course the deer played a role in the condition of the state forests , just as the chestnut blight, gypsy moths, leaf rollers , beech blight.acid rain,erosion ,forest fire suppression, invasive species, forestry practices and many other factors.