Hey guys/gals, I'm new to posting on this site. However, I've been monitoring for a while now and have learned quite a bit of good information. Great site. I'll just give my hopefully quick opinion on the subject.

First, I agree that the situation being discussed is indeed not huntingin my opinion. Being aprofessional wildlife biologist in a state that is known for high fences, I've seen this deer crazeprogressing for quite a while. It started out innocent enough withmanagement for quality animals. However, it takes time; time which peopledon't want towait. People want quick results. In short, high fences... Not quick enough.Translocating deer..Still not good enough... Now let's make our own deer andput them in asmall penso someone can club them and be back to work in half an hour braggin about their $15,000 monster they outwitted. I'm not a fan, but I see the motivation.

I do want to clear up a misconception though. Not all high fenced places are like this. Several places are high fenced to make management of the animals and HABITAT easier. In places of high deer density, landowners/managers spend thousands of dollars managing habitat and reducing the animal numbers. This creates the vacuum effect from surrounding unmanaged lands. This results in twice the number of animals and still poor range conditions. Not to mention, the neighbors are now very mad that you sucked all THEIR deer away. Personally, I don't mind being on a high fenced ranch sometimes. I like to see the results of good population/habitat management. Deer farms give allhighfences a bad reputation. Most of these places,the deer are just as wild and elusive as any other place. I like to see deer even though I only kill 1-2 a year (haven't killed a buck in 3 yrs). I think it is just neat to seeresults of passing up young bucks and managing habitat. Even when there are several hunters right on the other side of the fence salivating to shoot anything with headgear regardless of age.

Just my opinion. I apologize for the long post but this also is a fact of life I struggle with everyday in this profession. I'm a fan of good management, but dislike farming wildlife like livestock.