I have hunted 3k of over 10 years. I can tell you for sure that the deer numbers that we were use to seeing a couple of years ago no longer exist in 3k. I did a lot of atv riding in the back woods over the summer and I have bin out about 4 times bow hunting without seeing any deer. Same for my brotherinlaw who has bin out about 6 days. I don't even see that many on the side of roads anymore. I enjoy hunting wheather I'm successfull or not. I am not sure what has contributed to the deer decline in the south western catskills. My theory's are that the harsh winter of 02 wiped out most of the herd. It could also have something to do with disease. I am hearing the same thing from our friends on the other side of the delaware river in Wyane co. PA. This decline started right after the 02 winter. I wish that the d.e.c. would send over some biologists to try and find out what has happened. Mostly because if it turns out to be a disease of some kind would you, friends or families want to eat that meat. The dec should give us an explaination rather than just reducing the doe tags. The hunting in my area has become very difficult but I am up to the task of waiting it out. Just like last year when I connected with a nice buck on the last day of rifle season. I just would like to know if the meat is still good to eat. Maybe a reasonable explaination by the d.e.c. would ease some minds.