In a 2006 natural oak regeneration survey of foresters (61 respondents, 87% were DNR Foresters), a broad array of questions regarding oak regeneration were asked. Only one question addressed deer: "If the desired stocking of established natural oak regeneration was not achieved, what factors do you think contributed to the failure?" Respondents were asked to evaluate eight different factors and to rank each from 1, "little or no contribution," to 5, "very strong contribution."

Of the eight factors, more respondents identified deer as a strong to very strong contributor to oak regeneration failure than any other factor. Of those who responded to this question (50 foresters), 80% identified deer as a strong to very strong contributor to regeneration failures.