Mar 5, 2012 -- 10:40PM, solfeggio wrote:

I always wonder why people use terminology like 'harvesting' or 'thinning out' to describe what is, in fact, plain old-fashioned killing.  Why not just say that you're killing deer?... 

So, it's not working, then, is it?

The only answer to keeping down a deer population is some sort of sterilisation for either the males of females...

 

"Thinning" and "harvesting" are more tactful* words than "killing" but it all means the same.

In our areas it is working,  but nothing is 100%.

Israel uses a process whereas many are captured and put into large roaming areas separated by sex.

*Tactful (definition): The ability to tell a person to go to hell so well that they actually look forward to the trip.

Here are the facts, try to look at them with a little more compassion and less cruel judgement.

1. Deer are much, much, much easier to live with than wolvees.  Many people enjoy living in communities where the deer are known to nibble on the lawn of private homes.  They find this delightfull.  Of course not everyone enjoys the deer as much.  The deer can destroy crops and if you like fancy landscaping mess up your yard. 

2. Wolves are very difficult to live around, they are frightning for people and they are often brutal to companion animals.  Losing a few bedding plants is one thing but the danger of being attacked or worse having a child or small person attacked is something most people can't tolerate.  

3. FYI, the coyote population is on the rise because they live around humans much better than wolves do.  In fact in the NE, many wolves that are tested seem to have some coyote heritage.  So the coyotes and wolves mate on occasion.  The coyotes will win out in the end.  Typically however when coyotes and wolves meet it spells death for the coyote. The wolves will attack and eat it. Never mind your typical dog, cat, horse, cow, etc.   I have never been but I am pretty sure NZ does not have wild wolves running around unfettered in their urban settings. 

So no, most people will not consider keeping the deer population in check by allowing wolves to live in the community.  If you live in an area that has wild woves frolicing about then you probably chose to live in a more wild setting, good for you.

We call it hunting or harvesting because words like killing are reserved for people or at least animals that we relate to on a personal level.  We tend to not view wolves as a creature we can know personaly like a dog or even a cow.