This zone seems to be a mix of bigger pieces such as State Parks and DEP Watershed Land; and suburban lots. Deer density seems like it may vary a lot throughout the zone, maybe the predators are having an effect?
Like a lot of places, illegal baiting and a "if it's brown it's down" attitude seem pretty prevalent.
Then there's all the backyard deer that see little to no pressure in town. I have gotten a 3N DMP on every first try in the last 10 years. Some guys I know get shut out occasionally, but not many. I see deer on public ground when I am small game hunting. I didn't hunt Putnam this season for deer, but I would say the herd stable and is still recovering from previous hard winters.
I am not seeing nearly the numbers of deer I was seeing 10 years ago, but I see them almost every time I am in the woods hiking, hunting, fishing, etc.
Can't say the ARs have done much since they are localized only to a few lands. But Putnam is definitely a Location, Location, Location game with that mix of bigger mature woods and the smaller yard parcels in the various communities.
