Well Timbercruiser, I live in the small village of Black River, and on my 3 acres (backyard) and the surrounding acres (probably about 10 acre) of "backyards" we have about 6 deer that live here year around (I think) cuz anytime I desire I can walk "outback" and see them. Just across the road there are about 10-15 deer that live in about 20 acres.

To answer your question, LOTZA deer. AND, Yes, development (new housing construction mainly) in the local area has disturbed the area, concentrating the remaining critters into new areas AND Yes, they are not hunted (within the village limits). It is probably reaching a point of being over-populated with the critters but NY DEC (Dept of Conversation) won't do anything about relocating, trapping, or hunting.

A coupla years ago I decided to start feeding them (bad mistake) and 2 particular does and their off spring would come EVERY evening and literally stand by the garage as my wife and I were having adult beverages/dinner on the deck. They would walk off about 100 feet while I filled the feeder, and would return before I got back to the deck. I stopped feeding the corn when it was taking over 100#/week.......

What I'd really like to have is a perennial feeding area toward the rear of the property with neighbors back yards also (who also like to watch the critters). I think we are going to go with the roto-tiller (this Spring). Then have the soil tested and fertilize as necessary. Really sow a wide variety. That way, THEY (the critters) can tell us what they like. I may even visit some of the other neighbors that have been having critter damage on their vegetation and see what the varieties may be. Maybe even take some clippings from their bushes/shrubs for re-location.