Can anybody figure out the DNR???

I need help. I deer gun hunt in northern WI and our area(13) was an earn buck last year-meaning there is a “supposed” surplus of deer; of which I didn’t see many. Now the area we hunt this year does not have a T-zone unless we pay the $12 for a tag or send $3 in for a bonus tag. I never even bother to check if we were in T-zone, I just assumed it would be based on our area being earn a buck last year. It is not the money but the fact that we go from one extreme of too many deer to the other end of the spectrum of having to pay for bonus tags. Does the DNR really have an idea of how many deer there are or do they simply pick numbers out of a hat??