That’s easy to answer. Back then killing deer was a random occurrence. Now it’s targeted removal. Bucks of all ages were being killed in 80s, and management was not a thing for most. Coyotes were only beginning to make an appearance so recruitment was through the roof. Now, most deer are killed because of a camera. Hunters at minimum know the deer on the landscape and they have targeted removal of only the deer they want. In most cases it’s the absolute best 2-4 year olds. It leads to high grading and I see it everywhere. So those higher end bucks are not being recruited into the age classes needed for them to really show out. The bucks that are making it to 5-7 years old however, are the ones on the lower end of the bell curve. I see properties all the time that actually have a decent percentage of mature deer, but it’s all the ones nobody wants to shoot, but they’ll run each other over and step on their own momma to kill the 130” 3 year old old 10 point. 😂
This is precisely why Alabama does not have the kind of deer hunting it easily could. Unfortunately, I don't see it ever changing.
