That's what I was looking for! I figured your winter needs would be different as well. Did you plant the same beans this year as you did last? I know beans have many different manipulated traits and height is one of them. For feeding deer it typically isn't as important, but if you used a different variety you may be seeing that difference (just a possibility). I think you still have lots of food there for your deer. They may not be picture perfect and have a few weeds, but I doubt the deer really care. Just as an FYI - IF the beans you grow happen to be a shorter variety you can mix in some corn (I use corn because it too can be RR variety). This will create a sense of cover in your plot. if you check out my property tour you can see I tried this this year and have 2 plots with 2 extremes. One has too little corn and the other has too much - I just need to find the sweet spot in my mix ratio. Also consider the growing conditions could be different this year than last as well. The thing is we are constantly learning and having to adapt and adjust as well. Nothing is ever the same.....