What is the number one predator for deer? Set up salt licks with a sterility drug? Cindy Hildebrand wrote: > Since deer are being discussed, I want to point out that while > Wisconsin humans may have a higher tolerance for large deer herds than > Iowans, Wisconsin ecosystems apparently do not. The > ongoing deer damage to native ecosystems in Wisconsin is severe, > according to the research I've read. > > As pointed out by Brent Haglund of the Sand County Foundation, "The > deer herd of our era may survive and even thrive in the Wisconsin > winters thanks to corn and alfalfa, but our woodlots and forests > cannot also survive when the herd gets too large. Many Wisconsin > habitats have lost important native plant species that will never > return." Managing wildlife according to human tolerance can be an > iffy approach if one goal is to maintain native biodiversity. > > As for Iowa, the DNR may be projecting that the deer herd will > stabilize at their population goal in two years, but I guarantee > that short of a miracle, Story County will still have a serious deer > overpopulation problem then. I'd bet the same is true for some > other parts of this state. > > Cindy Hildebrand > [log in to unmask] > Ames, IA 50010 > > "Perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath, for the > instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me." (Anne > Morrow Lindbergh) > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To > unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: > [log in to unmask] Check out our > Listserv Lists support site for more information: > http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.427 / Virus Database: 270.14.109/2567 - Release Date: 12/15/09 19:58:00 > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp