This season I saw 36 deer, 6 of which were bucks. I only saw 1 bear and haven't had one in my trash since Labor day. I think the dog chasers need to give the area a break for a couple years. Deer tags are issued based upon a healthy sustaining population. DFG biologist, I believe, are responsible for determining this. One of the reasons, I've heard from one DFG employee (unknown if factual), for the lack of field control is the added burden placed upon the DFG by the environmentalists. They spend all their time counting, confirming, checking environmental reports for every development.
The animals are out there. You just need to limit your impact to see them and keep your eyes wide open. I have also shot, with a camera, many sheep in the area. They seem not to be the wariest (sp) of animals. I've also heard from a reliable source of areas thick with carcasses (horns included) because of lions.