One more thing that is effecting deer count is the opener is moving slowly towards the beginning of October.
We use to camp at the meadow camp above Pearygin Lake every year. We would celebrate Halloween there. There use to be an older gentleman that camped half way between Bear creek and Pearygin Creek. and he would string pumpkin shaped lights up in the trees circling his camp. We still call his old camp site "the pumpkin patch".
The migratory herds (big bucks) would start through the area and it was common to see many hundreds of dear in the meadow at night. We use to sit in the Buckbrush above the meadow and watch the coyotes chase the deer around in the dark. I agree the number are no where near what they use to be, for many reasons. I believe one of the biggest reasons is the disappearance of the buckbrush in that area. The hill above Pearygin buckbrush has all but disappeared. No food they go elsewhere.
