The public meeting held on August 28, 2013 to review and provide input to the proposed Whitetail Deer Management Plan was very lightly attended. I would estimate that less than twenty individuals were present to read the proposal, ask questions and hear from the biologists and park managers.
Here are the key points that I took away from the proposal
presented at the meeting:
·
The number of deer on the battlefield would
be reduced from 497 to 41 over a five year period. 160 deer would be removed by sharpshooting
over an additional 10 years.
·
The cost
for killing the deer would be $200 each for years 1-5. Continued removal of deer from the
battlefield in years 6-15 would cost $400 per deer.
·
Cost for sharpshooters is $195,800.
·
Total
cost of the proposed deer management plan will be $391,118.
·
There is no
provision to target female deer, versus antlered bucks, during the
implementation of the proposal.
The numbers are confusing and can seem contradictory. I strongly recommend that you review the full proposal here: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsOpenForReview.cfm?parkID=173&projectID=35457. The plan/EIS will be available for public review and comment until September 27, 2013. During this period, the public is invited to identify any issues or concerns you might have with the proposed plan.
I encourage each reader to go to the web site linked above to read the plan and leave your comments, questions or observations. If you do not think this plan will have an enormous impact on the battlefield I would encourage you to visit Catoctin Mountain Park in northern Frederick County where deer sightings have become rare due to a similar plan implemented there.
I somewhat disagree with your photo above that states that it takes a buck five years to grow antlers like that. Bucks shed their antlers each year. While the statement was partially correct, it would require a buck of about five years in age to grow big antlers, he would grow them in one summer and then they would fall off in spring.
ReplyDeleteGary, you are absolutely correct about the antler growth cycle of the deer. Each year the antlers are usually larger than the year, before until the deer reaches the age of seven or thereabouts when they begin to decline. To reach their maximum growth takes a deer at least five years. I hope this clarifies what I meant by the caption of the photo.
ReplyDeleteSteve
je découvre ton blog et ces photos sont incroyablement belles! je reviendrai te rendre visite!
ReplyDeleteBonne journée, Cath.
Thank you, Cath.
DeletePlease stop back again.
Steve
Hi! Cant understand why reduce so much.
ReplyDeleteWe have to shoot some moose here in Sweden for example. But its very strict rules.
We are allowed to shoot only 5 female and 5 bulls over 6 tags. We dont have that big bulls so it will be difficult. Calves we can shot all if we want to. And the area is 9 000 hectare
The deers you have are only in small populations in Sweden and not everywhere and mostly fenced.
Have a nice weekend!
Majsan/
Lindsjö,
DeleteIt is hard to understand sometimes why the government does what it does. I am especially opposed to shooting the older bucks which are not often seen by most people. Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment.
Steve