Originally Posted by
bluebird2
Good post and you made some valid points. You said I have an agenda so may I ask what you think my agenda might be. Thanks.
Honestly I have no idea, but I do get the impression that you are opposed to the HR and ARs that the PGC has implemeted.
I disagree that VF should only be used as an example of not to manage deer. There is no valid reason why it shouldn't be used as an example of the true carrying capacity of the habitat in the majority of the state. It provides an irrefutable example that shows how ridiculously low the PGC DD goals were for 5C and 5B.
How do you know those bucks were 4.5+ years. The only accurate way to age deer is to examine a cross section of a tooth?
I don't disagree that the DD goals in 5c and 5b were way too low. I don't think they ever intended on achieving those goals, but I believe they had to state the goals as being that low to justify some of the kill-offs they were having elsewhere in the state. There is, however, a valid reason VF should not be used as an example of carrying capacity of the majority of the state. For one thing the majority of the state does not have the open space per acre providing browse. There are acres upon acres of field that are frequently cut to provide fresh growth. This is not available in the ratio of woodlot to field in the rest of state as it is in the park. Secondly, if you saw these deer you would not feel that it is a healthy herd. Many of the deer are emaciated, visibly diseased (with sores and/or growths), and look in poor condition. Additionally, most does seem to only drop 1 fawn in the park. While this is speculation as fawns may die very early on it is very common to see does with 1 fawn in the park.
Some of the bucks I know from seeing them year after year, others are educated estimates. While it is true that the only way to know for sure is with a tooth cross-section, there are some that I know are 4.5 and older.