In recent years, the deer population in West Dakota has increased more than 200%. The deer are beginning to become a nuisance, and car accidents involving motorists hitting deer have increased more than 100%. Fearing for motorists’ safety, the state increased the hunting season for deer, allowing residents with a hunting permit to hunt deer for four months instead of three. Following the prolonged hunting season, the number of car accidents involving deer dropped by 75%, prompting state officials to declare that the deer population had been reduced substantially.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the conclusion drawn by the state?
