Deer chronicles

[ACEarcher]

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/pgc/deer/20090616_deerchronicle.pdf

A lot of very interesting topics in this article. Infact if I'm not mistaken almost of all of the topics we've covered over some point and time. Enjoy!

[Barrell]

Thanx for the post. I always enjoy reading about whats going on in the game commisions mind. Doesnt seem like any new way of thinking however. Weak arguments being used and vague evidence.
They use Michigan of an example of a state having problem with smaller deer managemnet zones but Michigan is about the same size as PA and has 130 units. Pa has only 22 units That doesnt seem even close. Maybe 130 is to many, but how does that prove that a measly 22 units is suficient to manage the intrests of a wide variety of hunters, farmers, foresters, homeowners, birdwatchers insuch large diversified pieces of land? Find me another state the size of PA with only 22 units whos biologist feel that serves their needs and then you have something.
In my area of 3b the doe reproduction is less then 1.5 fawn per female yet the recomendation is to hold the herd at that level. That contradicts the original statements that the game commision is striving to meet the criteria of at least 1.5 fawns. Maybe the forstry intrests have to much say in what the game commision is doing? After all its the game commision not the game and tree commision.
The term healthy forset habitat keeps showing up but without an explanation. Healthy forest for whose intrest. The grouse?, the deer? The bear? The farmers? the foresters? I dont beleive all those species and finacial intrests are the same . So who's intrest is the forest managed for?
When is the game commision going to publish the real deer kill which is reported on the report cards. Show us the math for once that explains how you get the published numbers. We can all use a good laugh.