Among adult does, 90 percent gave birth between May 12 and June 27, while 90 percent of fawns gave birth from May 22 through August 4.

Fawns born earlier stand a better chance of survival through their first year.

Prior to the new regulations, one problem with Pennsylvania's deer population was the imbalance of does to bucks, which led to many fawns being born late.

The portion of adult does bearing embryos and fawns carrying embryos is very revealing. Pregnancy rates based on embryos per 100 females shows a much lower rate in poor habitats, but a markedly better rate in the better habitats.

It should no surprise that the lower rates are found in the big woods of the north-central highlands, or that the higher rates are in the western and southeastern counties.

Hunters have three seasons for buck hunting. They start with the statewide archery season, which begins Sept. 29 and runs through Nov. 10, then resumes for a late season from Dec. 26 through Jan. 12.

With relatively low hunting pressure, bowhunters can seek out particular bucks with less interference from other hunters. Also the standards are lower for entry into the archery record book.

There have been 32 changes in the top 100 list of typical bucks taken by bowhunters during the 2000s, and six new entries in the top 10. These include the No. 1 typical buck. Nine of 33 bucks on the list of non-typicals were taken by bowhunters, including three of the top 10.

The regular statewide antlered deer season runs from Nov. 26 through Dec. 8. This year, the odds of seeing trophy bucks is certainly better than it has been in the memory of most hunters. But getting onto the record lists for deer taken by rifle is still a long shot. We must drop back to the No. 13 buck to find one taken since 1990, and all of the way back to No. 50 to find one taken in 2000. Only four of the top 100 bucks have been taken during the 2000s.

However, the non-typical list is a different story. The No. 2 non-typical buck taken by rifle was taken in Lawrence County in 2001. Among non-typicals, four of the top 10, and 13 of the top 100, were taken during the 2000s.

Almost certainly, one significant factor is holding back new entries onto the record lists. Pennsylvania Big Game Records are a joint project by the Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association. But funding comes through the Game Commission.

There have been no official measuring sessions in several years because of budget constraints by the Game Commission. New entries can be made if bucks are measured by official Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young scorers.

With trophy potential improving, however, Pennsylvania needs an independent record-keeping organization. And there may be one on the way. (See the Aug. 2007 issue of Pennsylvania Game & Fish for details on a new trophy buck club that's in the works.)

The flintlock season, which runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 12, could be viewed as a poor opportunity for hunting trophy bucks. But a little secret is slowly getting around. Because antler restrictions force hunters to scrutinize bucks very carefully, many more legal bucks are making it through the firearms season, giving flintlock hunters additional opportunities at larger bucks.

Here's a look at the trophy buck potential in your region:

NORTHEAST REGION
"Hunters are harvesting bucks that are much larger than I've ever seen," said Tim Conway, the Northeast Region's Information and Education supervisor. "I never thought we'd see racks like we're seeing now. Will it continue? I don't know."