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Deer are creatures ot the edge. As more ot the land has been allowed to grow up, there are more edges where cleared land meets woods.
This is one reason there is reluctance on the part of some farmers to attempt to solve the, problems of nutrient runoff from farm fields into tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay by planting a buffer of trees along the streams. This will add miles of edge to provide habitat for deer.
In recent years deer have increased so dramatically that game laws have become much more liberal, and the harvest has picked up. The recent emphasis on archery and muzzle-loader seasons in advance of the rifle season has taken some of the pressure off opening day, increased the deer harvest and spread the hunting season out.
Not long ago the county deer herd was showing signs of outgrowing its food supply. Mature does produce twins most years. Shooting only bucks does very little to reduce herd size. As the herd grew larger the size of the average deer killed was dropping.
The more liberal hunting laws, particularly those that have increased the number of days during which does may be shot, has reversed this trend, and the deer being shot appear larger and healthier.
Landowners and hunters must work together to see that the deer herd is maintained in good health without making the production of other crops nearly impossible.
Perhaps some way can be found to create a clearing house tlfat would match landowners wanting to reduce the number of deer on their properties with hunters who want venison for the table.
In the meantime the game warden needs the cooperation of everyone to prosecute the scofflaws who give other hunters a bad name.
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