I don't know what to think overall on DEC's #'s every year. I do imagine its hard to come up with accurate #'s when everyone doesn't report harvests as should. But I will agree Northern Tier was a rough season. I start 9/27, and had the worst Northern season ever. My sightings were way down. I did notice the news failed to mention the harsh winter we experienced in 08-09, over 146" snow in my area. I also hunt Southern Zone from archery season to end. The hunting was better for me than normal. I saw alot more deer than have past few yrs. But then again these are just the areas I hunt, and doesn't speak for whole state.