It’s a shame the Libertyville Township Board rejected the idea to cull the growing deer population using accomplished bowhunters (MetroLake, Sept. 26).
Over the last 10 years, many more farms and much vacant land have fallen prey to hungry developers, leaving wildlife no alternative but to adapt to a new and exceedingly smaller environment. Those animals include deer, and, unfortu-nately, the remaining farms are a sanctuary of nourish-ment and refuge. Farmers today mostly rent land to farm upon. Deer and other wildlife are not concerned if the farmer makes a profit. Food is survival. The population will continue to grow unless something is done. In the meantime, a larger population will mean fewer deer will survive this winter because of starvation or road mishaps.
Animal-rights activists would rather remove, sterilize or “humanely” euthanize deer rather than allow experienced hunters to solve the problem. The meat these hunters take could be used to feed the less fortunate. Venison is healthy and considered a gourmet meal in restaurants, although the meat is usually farm raised and not wild. What’s wrong with giving hungry people a free or low-cost meal?
As the article states, bowhunting is not the best method or solution. Inasmuch as Illinois’ hunters are restricted to shotguns or muzzle loaders during the firearms hunting seasons because of their limited range, perhaps these methods should be considered as viable alternatives as long as the shooters pass stringent testing.
Until the township makes a decision, the problem will only get worse. Mainly at the expense of the farmers and, of course, the starving deer.
