[Leica] Re: More on deer

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (lrzeitlin@optonline.net)]

Adam writes

<<Deer are an epidemic problem now in many parts of the country, as Don
observed. There are more deer in Wisconsin and Minnesota than at any
other time - conditions are perfect for them. I'm sure it's a problem
in New England as well. And, of course, there are zillions in
California.
I also think there has been a huge increase in raccoons although I've
never seen any statistics to back this up.>>

Both deer and racoon like to live at the edge of the woods where they can 
venture into the meadows to seek food, then retreat to the safety of the 
dense forest to escape predators. The suburban landscape in the NorthEast 
and the Midwest is often carved out of woodland, offering deer the perfect 
habitat Civilization has largely erased the deer's animal predators. The 
exception is the coyote. These munch on young abandoned fawns if they can't 
get their preferred meal of pussycat. There are fewer farmers and hunters 
who take deer for food and/or trophies. And, of course, 
the Indians are too busy running casinos and, in NY and CT, polishing their 
Rolls Royces. Despite the fact that deer abound in the suburbs, most 
communities have wisely banned gun hunting near settled areas. Bow hunting 
is OK but the season is very short. The best weapon seems to be the brush 
guard on a massive SUV.

Solutions in our area range from trapping the deer and slaughtering them for 
food for the indigent to injecting them with birth control drugs. Deer are 
no joke. They despoil the landscape, eat young trees and plants to change 
the nature of the woodland. All the local rhododendrons are eaten up to the 
six foot level.  In time deer will evolve long necks like giraffes. They are 
vectors for lyme disease. If you live in deer country, you know that Bambi 
is no friend.

I have a wonderful recipe for venison stew in case anyone is interested.

The next soapbox topic is illegal immigrant Canada geese. I have plenty of 
Leica pictures of those, as well as goose crap on my 
shoes.

Larry Z