MORE DEER ????

[whsell3]

Was out scouting today for the start of rifle and noticed alot of scrapes, rubs and other signs. More than years past. I had seen the most deer in archery this year than any other archery season I have hunted. Has anyone else noticed an increase in the deer population? Is it because of fewer hunters, or milder weather?

[Yoder]

All of the areas I hunt are almost deer free zones.

[Pro2A]

Was out scouting today for the start of rifle and noticed alot of scrapes, rubs and other signs. More than years past. I had seen the most deer in archery this year than any other archery season I have hunted. Has anyone else noticed an increase in the deer population? Is it because of fewer hunters, or milder weather?

My father in law (property I go hunting on) has said he has noticed a lot more deer this year. He's seen at least three, eight pointers in the last week along with many doe... so I'm looking forward to tomorrow :-)

[Coop650]

I hunted a lot this archery season and saw a total of 15 deer the entire season, so I wouldn't say I have seen more deer than ever before. I will say I finally saw some legal bucks which is something I haven't seen in 3 seasons. I am also seeing more rut signs now than I did in archery so you folks hunting rifle tomorrow might have a good day. I have a final so I will be stuck at the school.

[CoyoteJack]

There is an inherent flaw in the logic of Alt and company with regards to changing the deer management system in PA. The herd levels have never been evenly distributed in any way and yet the hunting restriction and such are.

Whether you agree or not that the deer population had grown too large for the land to support is one thing, but treating nearly all of the State the same way was a mistake. Here in NW PA the population of deer has generally been fairly high compared to say the Allegheny region (which I use because it was the only area I ever really hunted other than Erie and Crawford county).

I for one have not seen a reduction in the number of deer out and about around here.

[Booner]

Plenty of deer in Butler County. Lots of legal bucks, plenty of antlerless. No antlerless for the first week in the 2D side of the county, so the herd should expand further. Should be a great season.

[gander215]

Noticed a bit more action this year in Southern York County during archery. But we will see. I am sure all of the deer got the news letter about the "Great Migration of the Orange People". -BB

[Qtrborecrazy]

JUst because Alt and the boys say that there are to many deer does not mean it is true. I personally buy a doe tag each year just to make sure some one else won`t have the chance to kill a doe. More does more deer. I let all small bucks walk and let them grow old. I don`t have to kill a deer every year, I`m happy to be alive and well enough to hunt and be with my buds.

Qtrborecrazy

[Plinker]

All of the areas I hunt are almost deer free zones.

You MUST be referring to Pike Co. =)

Plinker

[Dredly]

Not really seeing much of a difference, Did see 3 monsters this year with some huge racks but I attribute that more to the Soy that has been planted and the increase in homes (thus decrease in hunting area).

The deer are getting smarter, no doubt about that, but I'm not really seeing an increase in the herd or the size of the deer.