I think all the factors mentioned play some what of a role into the perceived/real decline in numbers for some areas.

I also believe the #1 reason for high harvests through the midwest the last several years and in turn some of the down numbers in areas is the preaching of kill the does.

Every tv show for the last 10 years has pushed that qdma agenda. From: it improves habitat to increases rutting behaviors in bucks and a host of other reasons why shooting does is so great.

There used to be a negative stigma with shooting does now the pendulum has swung too far the other way. The new generation of hunters views does as pest that need to be irraticated. We need to meet in the middle somewhere. JMO