Deer were pretty plentiful in the forested east coast before the Europeans arrived from what some experts write, and for many years also afterward. Native American tribes depended on them for a large percent of their food, clothing, tents, etc. And the early European settlers later also found no big scarcity of deer. The deer population in the U.S. started plummeting in the 1800's. Unlimited hunting, bad agricultural practices, etc., from what I read. But with more limitations on hunting, less predators and the deer candy gardens people provide them, the population soared again. Now there's more than ever. I guess they adjusted. My area just isn't a very attractive deer area, even before the drought.