Mark, No, I never heard that song, but I know deer are tough to get. You may be misunderstanding me a little, which is easy to do in this type of medium. I'm not talking about large herds, unless you consider 15 deer per square mile and under large herds. This is far below the carrying capacity for the area, as was admitted by one of the Chief Biologists with NJ deer management program. This particular area of south Jersey that we were discussing, is outstanding farm habitat, and can support in excess of 50 deer per square mile with no adverse effects on forested tracts, but crop damage would be evident. I asked him why they were continuing the 2+ month gun season with no bag limits, even though he is aware of how low the deer density has fallen. He said he has many interests to consider, including the farmers and the Agricultrual Lobby. Basically, he admitted they are trying to reduce the herd to unnoticable numbers as a balancing act to keep everyone happy, everyone except hunters that is. They know we will keep buying licenses, so figure no matter what course they chart for the deer herd, they will still sell licenses because of the passion many of us hold for the activity.

This is not conjecture, it was from a discussion I had with the man on Saturday, January 12, 2003. Don't think it can't happen in Pa. You've no doubt heard the old metaphor about the camel getting his nose under the tent, haven't you. Well, right now we have the whole damn smelly animal in a little 2 man dome tent, it's collapsing around us and we can't get the flea bitten desert dancer out of the way. It should be the job of hunting organizations, like UBNJ, and UBP, or USP, to fight for hunters, not tow the line on F & W policies that have been drafted to appease other interest groups, they have their own lobbists fighting for them. Who speaks for hunters?

Like I said before, good luck, but don't be surprised if by the time you realize the two-humped wonder is fully entrenched in your little tent in the woods, it's too late to do anything about it.
-Proceed with caution
-Enter at your own risk
-Tread lightly
They all apply to the course that Pa has charted for deer management.



Edited by - NJ_Bowhntr on 01/15/2003 12:38:20