Deer can survive and get by in poor habitat. That doesn’t mean they thrive and live up to their reproductive potential. They’re not going to die of disease until it reaches critical levels. They do however, lose physical fitness, body weights decrease, reproductive success decreases, antler expression decreases, etc and I’ve seen this happen in several areas over the years. Mostly in parts of the state that experienced population increases due to restocking, or populations naturally expanding into habitats with few deer for several generations. People get used to the population boom and high antler scores, think that’s sustainable over time, and do not correct population numbers with habitat condition. Then when the population levels off with what the habitat can support people start grumbling about no more big bucks, too many does, and lower body weights. Hmmmmm. 🤔