|
Hunting is necessary for game management when humans take over deer yards and build houses on them. When it is stopped, by well meaning people, the herd suffers in the long run. Overpopulation means that starvation and sickness will decimate the population far greater than hunting/culling would have. Deer won't wonder into human habitats unless there is no food left in their own grounds. (excepts for the farmer's corn, that is...)
In areas where these same 'well meaning' activists managed to stop leg-hold trapping of fur bearers, the incidence of Rabies shot up 400% in the human population in the areas no longer being trapped. When the ban was repealed, the incidence of Rabies dropped back to usual levels within a year. (Check northern Chesapeake Bay area trapping.)
Pennsylvania's deer population is so thick that the 'normal' deer size/weight has reduced almost 50% in the past 30 years. (We won't even mention the size of the Virgina Whitetail... those of you who drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy know the German Shepard-sized deer you see.) In that state (PA,) only shotgunning is permitted for deer hunting due to the close proximity to human population areas, and dressed deer weights are averaging 50lbs.
Deer aren't supposed to be this small.
Game management is a tricky balancing act. Wild turkey has been successfully re-introduced in Vermont after being gone for more than 50 years. Moose have been coming back in the north-east kingdom, also having been gone for many years. The deer herd in Vermont is healthier now than at any time in history, with each doe producing 2.4 fawns per year, and average gross weight up over 120lbs. and lower road-kill and winter starvation rates than have ever been noted. Even the wolves are returning, and believe it or not, that is a good thing!
One of the earliest laws ever passed in 'the Colonies,' was passed in the area of Vermont/New Hampshire, and was a law setting bag limits and seasons for deer hunting! In the late 1700's!
Stitchawl
|