Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 11:55:20 -0500
From: Sherri
Subject: Deer have a right to be on this land as we do
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 14:23:42 -0500
From: Pamela S. Kuder, DDS
Subject: Bambi
To: Pamela Costenbader
Subject: deer
Thirty years ago I met my husband of 24 years. He hunted almost anything edible and between my garden and his hunting we bought only the bare necessities from the stores. At first I hated the fact that he killed the little Bambis. Since I have lived in the very rural area of Chatham County I want every visible deer killed. They destroy my decorative and edible plants – all my gardens. We have two herds on our 75 acre farm each of around 20 deer.
You are correct Pam; there are no natural enemies of the deer so hunting is a necessity in this area of the country. Some may not be knowledgeable in the concept of ‘natural balance’ or loose perspective when it comes to the poor little deer. We do have the option of letting them die from other causes (disease, etc.) if the lack of natural balance is not restored by the very animals that create this unnatural situation (humans). As you said, perhaps the deer will be used more for meat than trophies – I hope so.
You coined a very creative word: “Bamiization”
Recent generations have been victimized by the animated movie: “Bambi”
The accurate word for this dynamic you are describing is “Anthropomorphism”.
Anthropomorphism – attribution of human . characteristics or behavior to ..animals.
ie: ‘poor little Bambi; how could you kill him?!?’
These very people do not have to deal with what you and I do daily to protect our crops and efforts to maintain our own sustenance and well being so it is easy for them to plead for the poor little deer. WE, as humans, have disrupted and altered the natural dynamics of all animal lives and especially evident here, the deer.
Pam
Wow, what a callous and uncompassionate post! What other animals do you want to get rid of? The squirrels, the opossums, the raccoons? And right now you are probably scoffing at my post thinking I am “one of those people” rooting for “poor little Bambi….”
I don’t want every deer removed as they have a right to be on this land as we do. If they are destroying your yard as you say they are, plant items that are not deer-friendly. That is what I do. Example, never plant hosta as this is a true delight for deer — as is tulips — instead put in zinnias, marigolds, petunias, etc.
I live with a herd of deer on my land and they do not destroy it. I have found ways to live with the deer and that includes what is planted.