Deer and Elk in Western Oregon Forests

ReadThis was an interesting conference at Oregon State University - there were no deer or elk in attendance. The ungulates are experience hair loss, which scientists believe may be due to a parasitic louse (no, not the attorney general). Nobody suggested propecia as the cure.
ThisForesters thought population declines were due to lack of early seral vegetation, and suggested more regerative logging of mature stands to provide preferred forage. The biologists were beginning to develop approaches to the right questions to ask, but nobody seemed to have an accurate population estimate - blacktail deer are rather elusive ungulates and while traditionally overabundant, don't like to be counted.
ReadThe veteran industry spokesman said he had plenty of science and they needed action - regenerative harvest on federal lands. It was noted that there were no people with decision making capacbility on public lands in attendence, just agency biologists.
ThisThe fish and wildlife folks weighed in on managing herds for hunters, who seem to be leaving the sport (<2% in the metro area have hunting fishing licenses, yet they have the voters that call the shots). One veteran professor asked - is this worth our attention at all? The 12 member panel would not address my question of why it is necessary to have 18 different local, state and federal agencies with jurisdiction within the watershed and conflicting missions, agendas and regulations.