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)
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