Originally Posted by
Screamin Steel
In an exclosure you mentioned in the past that had a few deer trapped inside...approx 4, which translated to a comparable effect of a DD of 19dpsm, you claimed they had browsed all the preffered species down to nothing. If a reasonable DD of 19 dpsm can completely ravage an understory in a recent timber cut...what hope does the future hold for pole timber forests with a sparse understory? Will we be forced to endure single digit DD indefinitely, in the name of biodiversty and valuable lumber commodities? Many of the DMP supporters now, only support the plan because they were led to believe that HR is a temporary measure that will fade away when the habitat recovers sufficiently, yet examples like your exclosure aren't painting a portrait of a bright future, I'm afraid.
Pole timber will never safely hold more than 5 dpsm as long as it's in that pole timber stage.I don't hunt pole timber and can't understand why anyone would.That's why the state can't cut too much timber at one time.It will be great for a while but then after 10-12 years,the carrying capacity will plummet.Pole timber won't have an understory.Saw timber should.That's why the carrying capacity increases to around 20 dpsm in saw timber.There should be an understory plus mast in some cases.