I asked him, I guess he dont know me well enough....

[TTTim]

THE TRIBUNE'S VIEW
Deer population
The immigration policy we need

By HENRY J. WATERS III, Publisher, Columbia Daily Tribune
Published Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Don?t laugh. We need a deer immigration policy. Immigration might not be the right word. From out here on Turkey Creek, I notice very few deer swimming across bordering rivers into the territory. They seem to think they live here, and in a sense they have more right to the territory than we latecomers might claim. After all, they are born here, by and large. We moved in, and first thing you know, we?re griping about the natives.

Well, so be it. Give us credit. Here and elsewhere in America, we newcomers have accommodated vast and growing hordes of the natives, even bringing them back from depletion at one time not so long ago. We have entire agencies of government dedicated to their welfare. But are they not abusing their protected status, ignoring lot lines and fences, and foraging in our gardens? Not very neighborly.

We pass laws restricting the right of human neighbors to move in next door. Now we?re doing the same with our whitetail friends, using harsh tactics not seriously considered in our planning and zoning commissions: We?re shooting them.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is on the move. After years of policies aimed at protecting the deer population, now the agency is encouraging more hunting, particularly of females, with the explicit goal of diminishing the herd. Most human residents will welcome this move.

As one who has experienced a violent collision with a deer on the highway, I join the chorus asking for relief. It?s not that deer have no right to cross the street, but too many are doing so. At any moment one of these heavy animals might come cascading into your windshield, as one did to mine - no fun.

On my property I see no antelope, but no telling how many deer roam. Launching my own local population control program, in recent years I?m tolerating more hunting - from people I know and trust, of course. Not many years ago, I did not like the idea at all.

The profligacy of our beloved neighbor animals is so strong I wonder whether hunters are up to the task. After all, we consumers can and will eat only so much deer sausage. Deer hunters don?t seem to relish the kill just for the kill, or so they say.

Meanwhile, the conservation department is on the right track. As the agency monitors progress, we will learn more. In the process I doubt we will hear much complaining, even from people once adamantly opposed to such mayhem in the woods. Times change.

[hobiecat]

You got his address and phone number yet?