Date: Thu, 07 May 2009 17:01:29 -0400
From: Cure Nursery
Subject: Deer Culling
Dear Aurora,
It is clear that you speak from a genuine concern for the deer. But what you seem to be unaware of is that the imbalance in the ecosystem that we humans have caused by eradicating all the predators that used to keep the deer population in check — this imbalance is our fault, and we must accept responsibility for the consequences.
The consequences include an explosion of deer, which are so numerous now that they are destroying the critical link in the chain which supports ALL our wildlife — the native plants. Each individual deer must eat, and will eat, and does eat, but they don’t eat, for instance, Silverberry, which now is a horribly invasive plant, around where I live it is the only understory plant in the woods!! Which means, the forest cannot regenerate itself! There are no tree seedlings growing up here because they are eaten before they can grow up. They also don’t eat Privet, which is even worse where it occurs, choking out everything.
It is all very well and good to have compassion for deer, but ironically even the deer are suffering from the hunger which their own overpopulation is causing! Our bird populations and amphibian populations and all the other critters that depend on the insects and bugs that eat only native plants are also hurting because we have allowed this imbalance to occur.
So have a heart.
Not only in Pittsboro but all across the Southeast where this problem is now rampant, communities are becoming aware of the need to compensate for the lack of predators. If we employ Hunters for the Hungry, then there is a double benefit to harvesting the deer. I think you should examine closely the feelings of compassion you are having, extend the compassion to all the critters you have NOT noticed, toughen up a bit and do the right thing here.
Jennifer Cure