A similar situation occurred in many areas of pennsylvania about ten years ago. The herd numbers had dropped, most likely due to over harvest of doe. I know many people "burned" their doe tag in order to save some deer.

Others targeted button bucks instead.

The herd has come back. Not to what it was before, but plenty of deer around.

We're still careful of how many doe we take from specific areas though.

-Jake

Late winter states
 

Virginia and North Carolina, scout the Washington-Jefferson along to the Cherokee. Hunting season ended in VA on Jan 5th. BYO bug spray and follow the rules.