Speaker: Gary San Julian, The Pennsylvania State University
Abstract:
Deer, the charismatic mega-fauna of the northeast have moved from sufficient and harvestable, to sacred and protected, to many and huntable, to numerous and a nuisance. The habitat in many parts of our region has followed the inverse of deer numbers. Market hunting of many wildlife species reduced their number to near un-harvestable levels and in the early years of the last century biologists and conservationist protected wildlife. Deer were imported from other regions, trap and transfer programs were the order of the day and hunting was bucks only. Our forests were for the most part had been cleared or clear cut and there was abundant regeneration. Deer responded and in less than 30 years some state were calling for herd reduction. This resulted in confrontation between hunters and relatively new wildlife agencies. The seeds of that animosity may still remain today in segments of our population. Our charismatic mega-fauna have thrived and have gained both sacred and demonic status with segments of our population. Hunting as a tradition is losing its appeal and hunter numbers are dwindling and hunters are graying. George Santayana said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Are we paying attention or is the market again open for venison?