so I cleared out a huge amount of areas and then went to a tavern and waited for 65 days in game

and theres nothing at any of the giant camps or forts I've cleared

its really hard to find so much as a mud crab

is my save file glitched or did beth change the game so nothign respawns in one of the patches .-.

well only one thing respawns and thats the treasure chest you can find at some of the giant camps and at ends of dungeon like areas (caves/forts)

Which patch are you using, are you fully updated?