11/12/2024
Hello Friends of the Fawns!
With the Opening Day of firearm deer season rapidly approaching, I thought it would be appropriate to share some pertinent deer information for both hunters and non-hunters alike.
Here is some information for my hunting friends out there:
This year the stars have aligned (so to speak), and we should have an excellent harvest. Why? Well, first, the rut is in full swing (always a big help!), second, we have a full moon coming on November 15th, which, by the way, is also a coveted Red Moon, that causes an increase in deer activity and increases the number of doe’s in heat. Third, we have had two back-to-back mild winters and deer populations are up, making your chances of seeing a deer much better.
That said, I’d like to ask you to keep three things in mind while you are out there hunting:
1. Remember your Hunter’s Safety training! Don’t load your weapon until you are in your blind. Be mindful of other hunters, property lines, and of course, the hunting regulations. Stay safe out there!
2. Try to harvest deer that will benefit the herd, i.e. look for cull bucks, not just trophies. Cull bucks typically have deformed, or spindly antlers. This is usually a result of inter-breeding. Thus, allowing this animal to procreate will cause many does to lose their babies, or have deformed babies, neither of which helps herd stability and health. Also, if you’re considering taking a doe, please consider looking for an older mature doe, once these animals stop breeding, they become a herd liability, by bullying younger animals to get the easier food. Finally, if you see an injured deer, or one with three legs, etc. consider taking that animal to both save it from further struggle and again, to benefit the herd.
3. Last, but probably most important, is to know your limits. Shooting at a deer outside of your sighted range is unethical and downright foolish. It tells the animal where you are and where not to go. Even if you do hit it, it is far more likely you will only injure it and not recover it. And, in case you’re worried that someone else might get it… You shooting at it tells everyone else in the area where to be looking!
I hope this helps! Good Luck and have a great Harvest!
Now, for all my non-hunters out there, I’d like to share some information about why I support hunting.
As a wildlife Rehabber and an animal lover, I know a bit about wildlife and their needs to survive and thrive. Believe it, or not, hunting is a very good method of herd control. Please allow me to explain why:
In populated areas, like Southern Michigan, types of natural predators are limited. This leads to increased population and the potential for overpopulation, disease, crop damage, and of course a large number of these animals being hit by cars.
Hunting, when done ethically, is a quick and efficient way to control the deer population. It is far better than an animal starving, dying of a disease, suffering in a ditch after being hit by a car, or even dying in the teeth of a predator – often being eaten alive!
In addition, when deer populations go up, the associated local predator population goes up. In the wild, that is how populations are controlled. However, with limited predators, due to human population density, this means predators that can survive around humans (like Coyotes), explode and create new problems. These animals aren’t necessarily deer-focused. They are opportunists and will take your pets, and livestock, just as readily as a deer.
By the way, hunting also helps control predator populations as well.
The 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦-𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 is this: As long as humans continue to expand their territory and destroy animal habitats, animals will be forced to try and live among us. This leads to population problems, predator problems, and more.
Understand that 𝐖𝐞 are the cause of this, and we need to employ wildlife management techniques to control it. I’m not trying to say whether it's good or bad, but rather just trying to explain why it is necessary. I hope this was helpful information. Thank You for your kind attention. Have a Great Day!
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