Editor, Times-Union: What is North America's most dangerous animal? In this day and age it is not grizzly bears, mountain lions, coyotes or any other commonly referred to as dangerous animal. Bears (grizzly and black) accounted for only 128 deaths in the entire 19th century and mountain lions for only 14 in that same period of time.
No, there is another creature roaming Indiana's farmland and beginning to creep into our urban areas. The most dangerous animal, statistically speaking, is the whitetail deer. The whitetail deer accounts for more than 150 deaths on our roads each year, 750,000 car accidents, thousands of injuries and billions of dollars in insurance claims. Deer also account for more than $1 billion in economic farm land damage.
I present these facts in an attempt to educate. I am a farmer and hunter, and I do both to provide for my family. Like most hunters I am responsible and safe at all times. I enjoy the time it allows me to spend with my son. I enjoy the calm serenity that nature provides and the natural beauty of the land and animals. I am not a mindless "killer" as the uneducated assume. The majority of hunters are environmentalist and want to do what is best for the land and animals to ensure their continued existence for our children.
Although hunting removes some animals from the population it doesn't diminish deer populations to reduced levels long term. The remaining animals flourish because less competition for food exists, allowing the remaining animals to live healthier lives and resulting in a higher reproductive rate. Whitetail deer in general have a high reproductive rate, which is necessary in animals near the bottom of the food chain. Under natural circumstances, this high birthrate would be necessary to maintain their numbers in the face of constant loss to predation and a variation of food supply. With their predators absent, due to man's intrusion, and our agricultural food supply we provide them, this high birth rate results in overpopulation. Without hunting, deer's population would escalate to find an upper limit ("carrying capacity') at which starvation and disease would set in.
In conclusion to my concerned neighbor who views deer hunting as unnecessary and deer hunters as irresponsible "killers": I hunt for food and enjoyment. Hunting is needed to control deer overpopulation. I know the difference between your horses and a deer. State hunting fees help support numerous environmental actions. I respect your opposition to hunting and hope you have some added insight on my opinion.
A. Richard Wine Warsaw, via e-mail
Tree
Trimming Editor, Times-Union: Last week REMC trimmed some very large trees in my yard and threw the limbs into the farmer's field behind my property. The more I think about the irresponsible behavior, the more incredible it seems. Of course, the farmer will believe that we were the ones who littered his field with the large debris. Have any other readers had this experience?
