I think we all can go on forever on how many deer there are in this state. In all reality nobody knows for sure. The DEC has their ways to calculate deer populations. How accurate it actually is I don't know, we can only hope its accurate, and their system is working. Alot of it also depends on what DMU you hunt. Some are less or over populated then the DEC would like. They even admit it on their website under each DMU 2003 prediction. The DEC can't predict the winters weather, nor can they be sure on how many permits will be filled each year in each DMU. But the DEC does continually say license sales are down. I see just as many hunters in the woods now as I have in the past, so I don't know about that. But then again thats in the areas I hunt. But what I don't understand is if the DEC claims license sales are down, what have they done to increase sales?? Its obvious what attracts hunters to the woods are big racks, and plenty of deer. I know I don't see the deer in the woods that I used too. 5-6yrs ago I also saw several deer together. Now 2-3 together is more normal.
What do I feel are the answers? 1, start a QDM program. There's nothing like seeing more big bucks in the woods. 2, If the DEC isn't willing to take those steps, then how about easying up on the permits in lower populated areas. Let the deer bounce back. 3, Extend the season dates like said might. Allow hunters more time in the woods. Extend archery, extend muzzleloader, and even open the Southern regular season on a Saturday. I see NO reason why archery season can't be Sept.1st in north, and Oct. 1st in the south. Do some of you realize most yrs in northern tier, if your season starts Oct. 1st you get exactly 1 lone wknd of archery time. The following wknd northern muzzleloader begins, and black powders plus bows in the woods at the sametime doesn't go well. Its like oil and water. So in those regards the DEC doesn't make much sense to me either!!!!!!!![8D]