Deer hunters in eastern Ontario should brace for disappointment due to thinning herds and restrictions imposed by the provincial government.

Rob Lavigne, who owns a hunting and fishing store in Richmond, southwest of Ottawa, said he's had an influx of customers who have been outfitting themselves for a two-week hunting period that stretches into mid-November. But he doesn't like their chances.

"Very dim out there as far as seeing a deer, we used to see them all the time," said Lavigne, a lifelong hunter.

"When I used to go out, it was nothing to see two, three deer in the bush while you were out there. Now you go out 10 times and maybe see one deer."

In eastern Ontario, deer population densities have dropped to three animals per square kilometre of forest in 2009 from about 12 per square kilometre in 2002.

The province had, in the past, allowed hunters to shoot female deer to reduce ballooning herds. But hard winters and an abundance of coyotes preying on baby deer have caused a steeper drop in deer numbers than anticipated.

"We're hoping to put — over the course of the next few years — again twice as many deer in the landscape, hopefully," said Scott Smithers, a biologist with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources.

To achieve that goal, the ministry will protect most does from being hunted. So even if hunters see deer this week, they can only shoot males, which are identified by their antlers.

Lavigne is hopeful the province's efforts will boost deer numbers in the coming years.

"I can see it coming back if it's properly managed. And that's what I'm hoping they're gearing towards," he said.