Originally Posted by
bluebird2
As i pointed out before , the turkey population and the bear population increased as the deer herd increased. Other species such as grouse and snow shoes are more affected by forestry practices and competing species than they are by the deer. How much grouse habitat would you expect to find in DCNR's old growth forests in the stands of pole timber.
Bear and turkeys don't browse.Other species like grouse need an early succession forest and a mid level understory.You're comparison is not valid.By the way,the exclosure that keep the deer from eating all of the new regeneration make nice grouse habitat.
The deer along with other factors have trashed the habitat in the northern tier.It's scientifically proven and not debatable.Sure more deer can survive but at the expense of poor habitat.I'm willing to settle for less deer to see better habitat for the future of the deer,other wildlife and yes the commercial value of the timber that's so vital to the economy of this region.