Measured the growth rates of all the preferred species that have come up in the last decade inside those fences have ya?

As for rapid pace, id imagine it would seem that way compared to areas outside the fence in "natural" conditions. Though most likely slower than should be regardless...

Depleted soils, acid...whatever youd like to blame, depending upon species, there are many culprits.

Ive seen Carl Roe admit to this himself when speaking of timbering gamelands. Said they were cutting trees that were twice as old as they thought they were because of the decrease in growth rate. Sorry, but i dont think blaming the deer would be very rational in that example.

but that phenomenon COULDNT have any effect on a tender delicate little sapling though, could it?