slamdunk
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Since these last couple threads have exploded, I figured I may as well hit on a new possible theory with a new thread.
We've mentioned various threats our deer herds are facing and no doubt all of them are a factor, but after giving it more thought and gathering a little additional intel, I want to move Ranching up on the list of possible negatives.
In a previous thread I mentioned the story of a Rancher down on the Boulder last year whom contacted the Division several times about deer getting into his hay.
He claims after several failed attempts, he took matters into his own hands and slaughtered over a hundred deer with a spotlight and an AR-15 in one night.
Can we even fathom the impact that has on a unit already suffering a decline in numbers?
To simplify it-
100 deer @75 does and 25 bucks.
It's safe to assume 50 of those does were pregnant, 20 of the 50 are twins for an additional 70 deer dead.
170 dead deer (assuming my math is correct of course)!
Thats pretty damn scary if you ask me.
My son was working in Monroe today and asked a Rancher how the deer are looking and if he gets many on his property during winter.
The Rancher told him the majority of the deer go into his neighbors corn fields and they get killed by either the Rancher or the Division for damage control.
This makes me have to wonder how many deer are actually killed in the name of "Depredation" and how does this factor in all the studies being done on predators, highway mortality, human encroachment, loss of habitat, etc, etc and is it even measured?
We've mentioned various threats our deer herds are facing and no doubt all of them are a factor, but after giving it more thought and gathering a little additional intel, I want to move Ranching up on the list of possible negatives.
In a previous thread I mentioned the story of a Rancher down on the Boulder last year whom contacted the Division several times about deer getting into his hay.
He claims after several failed attempts, he took matters into his own hands and slaughtered over a hundred deer with a spotlight and an AR-15 in one night.
Can we even fathom the impact that has on a unit already suffering a decline in numbers?
To simplify it-
100 deer @75 does and 25 bucks.
It's safe to assume 50 of those does were pregnant, 20 of the 50 are twins for an additional 70 deer dead.
170 dead deer (assuming my math is correct of course)!
Thats pretty damn scary if you ask me.
My son was working in Monroe today and asked a Rancher how the deer are looking and if he gets many on his property during winter.
The Rancher told him the majority of the deer go into his neighbors corn fields and they get killed by either the Rancher or the Division for damage control.
This makes me have to wonder how many deer are actually killed in the name of "Depredation" and how does this factor in all the studies being done on predators, highway mortality, human encroachment, loss of habitat, etc, etc and is it even measured?
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