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.
Rats with Antlers...
Get ready for some VENISON.
Maybe they should be properly domesticated and turned into farm animals. The humans did know how to do it some 10000 years ago, but seem to have forgotten.
They should be harvested for food. They aren't too cute to eat. I can almost taste the venison stew now. . .
There are 55,000 car-deer accidents in Wisconsin every year, many fatal. Protecting deer isn't environmentalism. It's murder.
But New Jersey just refused to repeat last year's bear hunt, the first in decades.
Just watch out for liver flukes, otherwise Bambi-burgers are yummy!
I keep shootin' them, but the limit seems to be impeding my ablitity to 'thin the herd'...LOL.
Deer bologna and venison pot pie!
Yummmmmmmm!
Here in Washington State, we have Elk which, in terms of size, are between white tails and moose. Hit a male Elk and there is a good chance the both of you will be going to the great forest in the sky.
Here in CT there are no "lost" cats only snacks that won't be coming home.
You can lead a deer to a condom, but you can't make him use it.
The solution is venison pot roast( cooked with Louisiani Hot Sauce, red wine, garlic and coriander seeds!
But.....but..... think of poor Bambi's mother. (off sarcasm)
Shades of the morons who leave their dogs unattended when they go camping in the Everglades.
Dear Clemenza,
"Rats with Antlers..."
I doubt that rats are as tasty.
(Though I hope to never make the comparison.)
sitetest
But that's BAMBI....
"PETA will flip out. It's hard to believe this is from the Times."
Well notice that theTimes stops short of recommending hunting - an activity that is too testosterone intensive to pass its PC requirments.
Just a reminder to cool off your deer as quickly as possible and to SKIN it as quick as possible. The gaminess comes from the glands in the skin which transfers thru the fat and then into the meat.
Also don't forget to let the meat hang to age/tenderize/ and get rid of the "raw" taste.
Do this and you will fool the bambi lovers every time.
PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals
It's time to cull the herds.
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