Just wondering what some whitetail hunters opinion was of the 2001 herd.

Here in NY there was suppose to be a record herd size. But, during both Archery and Shotgun season the number of deer taken was dramatically small. From people that I have talked to here and other states, the number of deer seen during the season was small. Many blamed it on the warmer weather that we had this past fall, but, from what I have read, deer movement is best when the temp is in the 50's. Which was right in line of what we had in this area of NY. It is unusual to have this type of weather though in November for us.
I persally felt the the estimated herd size was wrong. In the fall of 2000 there was a very early heavy snowfall. The snow from that fall stayed with us all winter long and additional snow fell. This let the yearling only about six months old open to a harsh winter and easy prey for coyotes. So a lot of the deer which should have been 1 1/2 years old this past fall were victims of the harsh winter.

Whats your take on the heard this past season.