Posted on 03/19/2005 8:29:04 PM PST by neverdem
Forgive us if you are among the millions of gardeners, farmers, bird-watchers, drivers, fence builders, claims adjusters, body-shop operators, roadkill scrapers, 911 dispatchers, physical therapists and chiropractors who know this already.
White-tailed deer are a plague.
In their overwhelming abundance, they are prime examples of an ecosystem badly out of balance. They denude forests, making life impossible for vulnerable native plants and birds while allowing invasive species to thrive. While deer profoundly vex suburban gardeners, that annoyance pales next to the lethal danger they pose to drivers.
Now, even bird lovers want the deer subdued. The New Jersey Audubon Society, in a report last week, urged the consideration of lethal means to solve the problem, arguing that fencing, contraception and other gentle tactics have proved largely ineffective. The group wants the government to rethink conservation policies it says are intended to maximize herds for hunters, and to consider - especially in the suburbs, where hunting is too dangerous - bringing in sharpshooters.
It may sound harsh, even strange coming from an organization whose mission is to foster "environmental awareness and a conservation ethic." But the group - which does not speak for the National Audubon Society - has it exactly right.
Deer are simply heeding the biological imperative to go forth and multiply. With no natural predators, and the suburbs a year-round salad bar, they have slipped out of their ecological niche - and it's our fault, not theirs. The deer did not ask human beings to create the kind of predator-free suburban landscapes in which they now thrive. But the mountain lion, gray wolf and bobcat are not about to return, and the houses and highways are staying put. People, therefore, must own up to their place in a compromised food chain, and assume the responsibility for managing it well.
Unfortunately, deer contradict our innate assumption that only ugly creatures can be vermin. As the recent release of the "Bambi" DVD reminds us, they seem miscast as villains. But wise conservation means looking at the environment as a whole - from the smallest wildflower on forest floor to the biggest brown-eyed herbivore. The whole system - not just the prettiest mammals - needs protection.
I was working in a West St Louis suburb (Town and Country I think) a few years ago and on this cul-de-sac there was a huge buck rub on a tree in the front yard of one of the homes that overlooked a golf course. The deer herd could be seen on the golf course early mornings grazing. And they loved the gardens and shrubs in the neighborhood so much they were extremely fat and healthy.
After much adeu the Town and Country Council finally agreed on a capture and release program for the deer. First it was going to be a bow hunt which was opposed. Then it was using tranqulizer guns to subdue the deer, but that was opposed but finally agreed upon after a few environmentalists squealed in protest.
The deer, numbering over 100, were tagged and relocated to a wildlife conservation area south of St Louis, where most of them died from starvation because they didnt have the lush flower gardens and shrubs from their former habitat to eat.
City deer are just not a very hardy bunch when it comes to survival outside of their element. But beware of the city hunters when they come out to the country to play. Upon demonstrating some of their hunting skills it is no wonder the city deer have it so cushy.
Of course, you won't see liberals for a limited doe season. Oh no, it has to be professional shooters to do the work because redneck gun owners who have been hunting for years have no idea about wildlife management.
I know places where we could go spear hunting, walk up and spear them, no chucking.
Be far more exciting.
Had a great uncle who liked to eat fresh deer liver at camp. One day, after having downed a nice buck, he was cutting the liver when it moved--flukes.
At a couple of bucher shops you could get free field dressed deer.
Perhaps this place
http://www.underhillfarms.com/venison/
Chronic wasting desease in deer is a real danger. In some western and mountain states the disease is getting worse.
Missouri has been testing random samples for a couple of years now.
When overpopulation of any species occurrs, disease makes an adjustment. Even in humans.
This was part of the reason we stopped hunting. There were several years back in the mid 90's, when I would be in the stand and there would be 4 or 5 deer walking directly under the stand. Not exactly a challenging shot for a scoped rifle.
We joked that we should jump down out of the stand with a knife and wrestle the deer to the ground to bring back the challenge.
We stopped hunting right after that.
*chuckle* They act like it. They come running out into the sides of cars. One reason you drive the biggest car you can afford around here is so you have a half a chance of surviving when you hit one of the long legged rats.
Last year I could have taken three deer from my patio during bow season and I live inside the city limits.
Bambi's make good camp meat!
There are no bad deer, just edible ones.
They extended the season here in Missouri yes. but in several parts of the state they put antler size restrictions on bucks. I could not shoot anything between a spiked buck and an 8 pointer legally. Two of our hunting party of 4 came out with nothing, despite having opportunity to shoot some nice bucks in the 6 point range.
I settled for Bambii's sister, and one of the boys got a 10 pointer. We all had bonus tags unfilled
It seems like the restriction on buck harvest in favor of antlerless harvest hurt our numbers, but statewide numbers were up slightly.
Of course, we can purchase additional tags (at additional expense) but why have to use the primary tag on a secondary target in most areas?
BTW, my Bambii made up a lot of tasty homemade jerky, with several pounds left for more jerky later on when I have the time. Small deer are the best eating. There just isn't enough reward for the time and money invested.
The expense of deer hunting is becoming considerable enough to make me consider buying 1/2 beef from the locker.
And up goes the deer population because hunters are financially regulated in numbers and therein is another problem we have to be aware of. Greedy State FEES.
Actually, it could become a major commuter alternative to driving the SUV or mini-van inside the same suburb to run 100 errands.
Since it's the NYT, they may go along with removing the deer's feeding tube and water so the animal can slowly starve to death - according to their expert, it's not painful at all.
Dear null and void,
"You're quite welcome. BTW that's not a rat, it's a cuy."
Thanks, I'll think I'll take a pass, anyway. ;-)
Growing up in one culture or another does that to most of us, doesn't?
I'm not inclined to eat dog meat, but lots of Asians are quite happy with the dish.
On the other hand, I can't figure out any other use for domestic cats other than eating. ;-)
sitetest
"Here in CT there are no "lost" cats only snacks that won't be coming home."
We have the same situation in my neighborhood here in Colorado. We're about five miles from the Rockies with nothing but farmland to the west. You can hear the Coyotes howling at night, then the cattle bawling, then BOOM! All is quiet.
The kitties turn up missing regularly, a fact that I tried to impress on my new neighbors who seem to have some kind of "Born Free" vision for their pussycat. It won't be long.
Deer shot in sunflower fields can be really good eating, too....
That happened in New Jersey in the 70's, yet the "DON'T KILL BAMBI" animal rights types still opposed culling the herd. Deer were co loaded with parasites, they were inedible.
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