Germain, I basically agree with what you said in general. Yes, numbers are down in the traditional big woods counties and yes there are areas where it will take even more drastic measures to slow down the deer pop explosion. But most of all I agree with you on this:
Simple,there's more to it then we know.
Thats why I'm reluctant to listen to someone here with too little information or to someone who wishes to take figures published by the professionals and let him twist them his own way.
We, as hunters are a small minority here and the sooner we recognize that the deer herd is not ours alone to manage the better off we will be. Yes we fund the PGC but it's the farmers, timber co's and even the state and federal govt that owns the land we hunt on and the land that feeds and shelters the deer. Even the suburbanites who feed deer their shrubbery have something to say here. I wish it wasnt so but it is a fact of life. If we as hunters dont get on board and manage the deer or (any other game for that matter) in balance with the habitat the rest of the world WILL find a way to balance em.
Shouldnt we all be glad that Audobon funded Gary Alt instead of putting the money into deer contaceptive research or some other wacko scheme?
As I see it, the deer herd will get reduced. we can either embrace it and be a useful part of that or we can get steamrolled by resisting. Dont think it cant happen!