Rest assured, we do indeed know what we are doing, but that isn't as important as having the public know what we are doing and why. Traditionally, there have been only two major considerations when managing a deer herd from a public agency standpoint. These considerations are carrying capacity and public acceptance of the management approach. Balancing the necessity for maintaining deer within carrying capacity and providing a level of hunting opportunity acceptable to a majority of the user group is rarely easy. Biologists want to manage population levels within a biologically defined carrying capacity.
User groups tend to want population levels managed more for a socially defined carrying capacity.
For many state wildlife agencies, deer management consists of managing the conflict between these two philosophies. There will probably always be some difference in the deer population levels both groups find acceptable. However, through an educational approach, this difference may possibly be narrowed to a level that is negligible. Clearing this long-time hurdle will allow all involved to address other aspects of deer management that are no less important. Providing these increased doe harvest opportunities is a tremendous step in the right direction.