Vicious hunts on public lands are counterproductive

To the Times:

We must look at patterns of violence in our society, re-examine our methods of dealing with human/wildlife conflicts, and institute processes which solve them. Repeating literally vicious cycles of hunts on our public lands, are non-scientific and counterproductive.

Your “Hunters Spread Over Ridley Creek State Park” article, reflects the true reason for these kills. The species most desired as trophies, are “coincidentally” the ones overpopulated, and vilified as problems. Antithetical to this claim, there is no proof that decades of killing have reduced, or even stabilized, the deer population, wildlife/vehicle collisions or other issues that are blamed on deer. In fact, Department of Transportation (both Pa. and U.S.) statistics, tell a different story. Multiple car insurance companies warn that accidents increase, by as much as five-fold, on the first day of the season, as disrupted, frightened and injured deer frantically traverse roadways with greater frequency.

Decades of killing with cars, arrows and guns, yet no lessening of the numbers or the complaints. Any thinking person can see there is something off here.

It is well known that the male of most species, can impregnate many females. After a kill, hunted species quickly use this ability to regain and even surpass their original numbers. This provides no long-term solution; if reduction is truly desired, the park hunts should NOT occur while it is legal to slaughter for antlers. The allowance of such, is to satisfy those who want trophies. Natural predators seek the weak and the infirm; they are not out for bragging rights. Man is no substitute if he kills the biggest and strongest for trophies, and ensures live targets for perpetuity.

Ironically, those who use science to oppose injury and death, are labeled as “emotional’” but not those who become excited over displaying large antlers. As humans, we tout ourselves as an intelligent and civilized species, but use this strength to control, not take personal responsibility. As WE continue to encroach on habitats, and destroy biodiversity on the vast majority of our land, we must cease blaming wildlife for utilizing the tiny bits of living space to which they are relegated.

Our state w ildlife agency, others who manage our public lands, and the media, can only act in the best interest of the public when true ethics and science are applied to wildlife populations. Yet innumerable kills occur for which there’s no account. Property owners deal with trespassing, poaching and threats, and the immeasurable suffering caused by injuries to wildlife who die slowly of blood loss and infection. People find discarded bodies of beheaded deer, and those with bullet or arrow holes with antlers clearly sawed off (a complete waste of life, and also illegal). Park officials are almost impossible to reach, and many counties have a great dearth of “game” wardens, who barely enforce the minimal regulations that exist. The state Game Commission constantly uses the verbiage “opportunities”. This terminology contradicts their claim that decades of kills stabilize the population and provide biodiversity and public safety. Their actions are the polar opposite of how truly stable populations, function.

Hunting stories discuss grown men having fun blasting holes into animals who are habituated to humans and have no means of protecting themselves. The stated corollary - a means of controlling populations – is invalid. Including both in the same article, is misleading the public.

We, and the wildlife, deserve better than the status-quo repetition of tired, unfounded phrases put forth by mouthpieces of the hunting community. Where is the proof of species stabilization? Of accident reduction?

The agencies who derive license fees, and the individuals who derive pleasure from killing, should be held accountable for keeping the deer population high, and for repercussions thereof. Those entrusted with oversight of our public lands, and anyone with true journalistic integrity, must expose and change the infrastructure that allows this to occur, not promote it.

As a society, we must demand change. Let’s teach our children, tomorrow’s future, that violence is not the only way to handle things.