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Every fall, newspapers across
the United States print letters-to-the editor from members of anti-hunting
groups. These letters share a common thread. They "debunk" the
outdoor sportsmen's contention that hunting is needed to keep deer population
in check. The anti-hunting crowd inevitably point to the fact that the
pre-Columbian deer herd was both stable and healthy....all before the
advent of firearms on North America.
Those of us at the St Ignace Center
understand the anti-hunter's love of deer. Deer are graceful and powerful
animals, able to survive, even flourish, under extreme conditions. It
is a thrill to see deer at any time. Nobody wants what is best for deer
more than those of us at the St Ignace Center. Consequently, we pondered
the anti-hunter position at great length.
We propose that deer firearm
seasons be suspended (as an experiment) when all Michigan counties that
experience more than 500 deer-vehicle accidents a year have at least one
resident wolf pack.
St Ignace Center computer simulations
indicate that a wolf pack of 8 animals will harvest approximately 300
deer a year. The harvest rate will vary based on the relative availability
of other large mammals within the pack's home range. Certain counties
will require as many as six wolf packs to reduce the annual deer-vehicle
accident rate to below 500. Others, such as Oakland county, will require
only four wolf packs.
Addendum:
Added since original page was posted
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