Bear and turkeys don't browse.Other species like grouse need an early succession forest and a mid level understory.You're comparison is not valid.By the way,the exclosure that keep the deer from eating all of the new regeneration make nice grouse habitat.
I didn't claim that bear and turkey browse,but both consume acorns and seed survival is an important factor limiting regeneration in many forests. How many oak sprouts do you think turkeys eat in early spring when there is little else to eat in the woods?
The deer along with other factors have trashed the habitat in the northern tier.It's scientifically proven and not debatable.Sure more deer can survive but at the expense of poor habitat.I'm willing to settle for less deer to see better habitat for the future of the deer,other wildlife and yes the commercial value of the timber that's so vital to the economy of this region
Yes it is debatable that the deer have trashed the habitat. Without a doubt deer can have a negative impact on oak regeneration but that doesn't mean the habitat has been trashed. Deer and other wildlife survive and prosper in large areas of the state with few or no oaks. The fact is that man is trying to force nature to replace the forests that were formed under entirely different conditions than exist today.