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We used data on deer reproduction, sex and age of harvested deer,
license numbers of successful hunters, and reported harvests to estimate 2000 and
2001 deer populations by management unit. Wildlife Conservation Officers (WCOs)
also conducted winter deer mortality surveys along preselected routes in their
respective districts. Six hundred and eight does were used to determine
conception and fawning dates. The average reproductive rate was 0.99 embryos/doe
with the median conception date of November 14. The median projected birth date
was May 30. Average points and spread of 3,184 sets of antlers measured in the
2000 season ranged from 5–8 points and 10–17 inch spread for 1.5-year-olds and
3.5+-year-olds, respectively. Our 2000-01 winter deer density of 39 deer/mi2 of
forest land was the same as in 1999-00. The 2000-01 winter deer loss index of
0.21 deer/mile was well below previously recorded losses. We projected a
preseason deer population of 1.504 million for 2001. Changes approved for the
2001-02 deer seasons include: a 12-day concurrent antlered and antlerless rifle
season for all hunters; an expanded, 7-day antlerless muzzleloader season in
October; a 3-day antlerless rifle season in October for junior, senior, disabled,
and military license holders; antlerless licenses that are unsold after all
hunters have an opportunity to purchase one will be sold, up to 2 per hunter; the
“private land only” restriction on unsold licenses was removed; field possession
regulations were liberalized to allow a hunter to harvest another deer after
tagging the first deer harvested; and crossbows will be legal during the regular
firearms season in Special Regulations Areas. The goal for 2001 is to reduce the
statewide deer herd by about 5 percent. Population analyses indicate that about
328,000 antlerless depopulation 5 percent.

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ORIGINAL: DougE

Jack,you are so clueless,i'm almost embarrassed for you.You don't have the slightest idea about deer management or habitat management.You're a perfect example of why the PGC can't listen to the hunters.

No area has the same deer density from decade to decade or from year to year.Things are constantly changing in the whitetails's world.Habitat and foof sorces change throughout the year aas does pressure and weather.That all has an effect on where you'll find deer and how many will be there.Once you learn that,you'll be alot more successful and you won't have to cry as much.

I'm very familiar with the area around Mitches.I lived in Rockton from 1992-1995 and I still spend time in that area.I fish Anderson creek and I get dmap coupons and harvest deer in dmap area 312.As a matter of fact,I drove through there last night and have to go throughthere again tonight.To say that there were 10 times as many deer 8 years ago in that area is a gross exageration.I used to drive that every day in the early 90's and you did in fact see 100 deer from rt 322 to the top of themountainUnfortunately,those huge hoards of deer devistated the habitat on Rockton mountain.Rockton mountain is a poster child for overbrosingand browse line.It's absolutely some of the worst habitat in this part of the state and the deer are responsible for that.If you want to argue that case,all you have to do is look at the areas that are fenced in.they took a fence down down by kelly cellar road about three years ago.It's 100 acres of pole timber that used to be too thick to walk through.the areas unfenced are a disaster.there's no preferred regeneration and you couldn't find a stump sprout to save your live.Take rt 153 until your just ready to cross over I80.There's a big fenced in area that's just loaded with oak and maple regeneration.As you drive on rt 322 or rt 153 through that area,you can see for hundreds of yards through the open timber.Go out there this winter and try to find 5 pounds of preferred browse.I bet you can't do it.So why should you expect there to be 10 times the amount of deer presently there?By the way.that area was flown over in march of 2005 and infrared pictures were taken of tyhe deer.The area of Moshannon state forest from Spruce hill,down along Brown springs had 126 dpsm.Overall however,that area averaged out at 16 dpsm.there is no way that it was ever overwintering 160 dpsm as you claim.Perception is not reality.You can go on DCNR's webiste and see for your self.You may learn something if you do.There were huge areas during that flyover that showed very few if any deer.All the deer were concentrated in the few spots that actually had food that time of year.That was three years ago and since then tags have been slashed in that area.No way had the herd been reduced since 2005 in that area.

You really truly are lost.

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ORIGINAL: lost horn

Hey guys, don't try to argue with a insurance man:DI have yet to meet one that liked a live deer.:D;)

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ORIGINAL: DougE

Jack,Follow close now.They did an infrared flyover in march of 2005 that showed 16 dpsm.The area you mention,near spruce hill had the highest concentration of deer(126 dpsm)on any of the flyovers.You claim that the deer herd has been reduced 10 fold and that's simply not true,I don't care what date or year you use.If there were 16 over winter dpsm in 2005,that would mean there were 160 over winter dpsm at some point in time,if you think there used to be 10 times as many deer.You're full of it and you completely lack any logic what so ever.

Do you really think that areacan andshould support 10 times as many deer as there is now?If so,you really are clueless and part of the problem.

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ORIGINAL: DougE

Sproul,If I can consistatly kill deer on publicland in 2Gwith my limited schedule,anyone can.

I think the Sproul state forest showed around 9 dpsm.

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