"marcesent" wrote in message
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"Jangchub" wrote in message
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On Thu, 29 Jun 2006 01:57:31 GMT, "Jonny"
wrote:
That's my point. People moved to Lakeway because of the free flowing
deer and aren't they cute. Now the deer are eating their plants and
suddenly the deer are disease infested. That term was not really
about disease, I saw it as a metaphor and symptom of how people
totally disregard animals and their welfare.

As a resident of Lakeway, I can say that the people did not move here for
the "cute deer" - they moved here for the LAKE. I think that the feelings
about deer have been pretty consistent....they're nice to have around and
look at and so on, but are a real pest for eating the plants.

But, here's the educated statement I have to make (as a wildlife
biologist): Deer *are* - for the most part - overpopulated in Texas. In
some places (like east of Bryan) it's so bad you can literally see the
lines on the trees where the deer can reach no higher to browse. Contrary
to common belief, deer do not eat grass - they eat forbs, which are leafy
plants. So just because there is lots of grass doesn't mean that there is
lots for the deer to eat - they can be in the middle of a grassy meadow
and still starve to death. So when they find a yummy suburban yard full
of yummy tender leaves, well, you do the math.

The reason deer are overpopulated are because we - humans - decided to
manage the predator population in Texas for ranching purposes. These
"managed-out" predators consisted primarily of wolves, both grey and
mexican. There are no wolves remaining in Texas (with the exception of a
few sightings along the border every ten years or so) and any efforts made
by biologists to re-introduce them so far has been met with strong
opposition from the ranching lobbies. The long and short of it is that
wild predators will *not* be around in any significant numbers for any
time to come for some time, so deer are free to explode as a population -
and create a lot of issues for other species who are now being crowded out
by competing for the same space. And yes, disease is one by-product of
overpopulation. I wouldn't categorize deer as a species as being diseased,
but disease rates are higher - and birth weights, antler mass, and other
health indicators are lower.

Now since man in Texas has made the decision to manage the predator
population, then we MUST manage the deer population as well. I'm neutral
regarding hunting - I see it as a necessary evil. Personally I don't eat
much meat. But I know many, many hunters who take their hunting
relationship with the deer that they kill as a very personal and even
spiritual one. Not many hunters that I have met (again, as a deer hunt
managing biologist) are just "out for blood" or violence. It is about
much more than just the kill - and most cosume the animals that they kill.
And unfortunately there aren't many alternatives to hunting - relocating
the deer just creates an issue in other areas.

The argument about how deer were here before us is pointless. We have
*all* (people and animals) been here, our ancestors, in one form or
another. But as the one species with the thumbs and the ability to manage
another, we must take responsibilities for our actions. And our actions
have created the situation, and now we must deal with it.

It has nothing to do with emotions or violence or how "cute" an animal
is - and absolutly *nothing* to do with prejudicial derogotory blanket
statements about other's motivations for species management. For
biologists, it has everything to do with ecosystem preservation, and it is
our responsibilities as stewards of the land that we live on.

Julie


So, Doc, do we feed the white-tailed deer or not?
Between the two native predators around here, hunters and idiots driving
automobiles, the non-fed population is relatively small per sq. mile. The
black vultures are doing well on the roads, thank you. Lots and lots of
them.

Maybe the deer population in Bryan, Texas area (Brazos county) has something
to do with this:
http://www.landandlivestockpost.com/...1904leader.htm
published almost two years ago. Has some biologist hands in it I read.
Don't know of anything in the area of Lakeway that has that much set aside
deer breeding area. Don't see the relationship.

Locals around here know that if you want to keep a garden uneaten or
untrodden, keep a decent height fence around it. Isn't hard to construct or
expensive. Even in Lakeway.

Ecosystems modified by man is his/her doing. Creating a lake in midst of
the hill country, moving a bunch a people out there is another ecosystem
that wasn't there before. Made by man, for man, not deer, not birds, not
flowers, not trees; man. And it follows, to be managed for man, by man.
And it follows then, the heck with the rest of the animal/plant population
if not desired. A threat, a nuisance, or a trivial blight to pleasant
sight, for man, it will be removed in one fashion or another. Stewards of
the land? Nice sounding, almost politico air to it I might add, but not so
in the real world.
--
Jonny