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From
New York Birders (NYSOA's newsletter) - April
2005
Deer
and Birds
by
Tom Salo and Andy Mason
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is
currently revising its deer hunting seasons for 2005, and is taking
public comments on the proposed changes. Although it may not seem
that deer and birds are particularly connected, in reality deer
populations are affecting birds and forest ecosystems in general.
Without effective predators to keep it in check, this large ungulate
is causing significant changes to natural vegetation, the composition
of our forests, and the quality of wildlife habitat in the forest
understory. Native plants are being over browsed to the point
where some may become endangered or extinct. A recent study
indicated that browsing of ginseng by deer may eliminate this valuable
plant from eastern forests. Other vegetation is under similar
pressure from an overabundance of deer.
In addition to direct impacts on plants, the dramatic changes
in forest flora are affecting numerous other species, including
nesting birds, such as Wood Thrushes and Black-throated Blue Warblers
that lack the understory vegetation they require for successful
nesting in growing areas of the state’s forests. These
landscape scale impacts will affect our environment for generations.
Much of deer management is driven by economic factors, positive
and negative. The current deer population is not low enough
to alleviate the negative impacts. Automobile accidents, the consumption
of agricultural products and landscaping, and the suppression of
valuable timber species and wildlife food sources remain serious
problems.
While agricultural and timber damage is addressed on a case-by-case
basis, ecological impacts are not given the same consideration.
The situation is likely to worsen. Deer hunting is losing
popularity. Hunters grow older and fewer every year. The
winters of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 reduced the deer population,
but not enough. Some spots may have a low number of deer,
but numbers are still too high in many parts of the state. A
couple of easy winters and the population will quickly return to
previous levels.
There are natural means of reducing deer populations. Although
coyotes are a less than ideal predator, they can impact deer numbers
under certain conditions. Calls for the persecution of coyotes
are an emotional reaction that should be dismissed by DEC. It
may make some people feel better, but there is no ecological or
management rationale for killing coyotes. Decades of coyote
suppression using all types of methods have failed elsewhere.
In addition, two large and effective predators of deer were extirpated
from the state during a period of less enlightened understanding
of wildlife. Wolves and mountain lions could again play a
major role in controlling deer populations. DEC should give consideration
to reintroducing these native animals to the wilder areas of New
York State.
There is also increasing concern over the effects of lead ammunition
on scavenging wildlife. Many deer carcasses containing lead
slugs or bullet fragments remain on the state’s landscape
after hunting season. This toxic material threatens vultures,
crows, ravens, eagles and other species. The primary cause
of mortality among the endangered California Condor has been identified
as lead from hunted carcasses. In this state, the leading
cause of poisoning in Bald Eagles is lead, and the likely source
is deer carcasses, a prime food source for these birds. Although
lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting, it remains a danger
to humans and wildlife alike. Alternatives do exist, and
DEC should review expanding limits on lead ammunition.
Without a long-term solution to the deer problem, New York’s
forests will continue to degrade. DEC is charged with conserving,
improving, and protecting the state’s natural resources. With
regard to white-tailed deer and their impact on the habitats of
other, at risk, wildlife, they are not currently fulfilling that
mission. The agency needs to change the basis of its deer
management programs to science and healthy ecosystems, and to give
greater consideration to the impacts of deer on the state’s
other wildlife, including birds.
What you can do — The deer season restructuring
process provides an opportunity for input to DEC on deer management. Let
them know that they need to take a wider view of the impacts of
deer and not just consider hunters’ desires for more deer. Also
ask them to consider reintroduction of large predators to naturally
control deer populations and to address the issue of lead poisoning
from deer carcasses.
The deer season proposals can be found on the NYSDEC
website. Comments may be submitted via email or
to:
Big Game Season Changes
NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754
Wings
Over Dutchess, May
2005
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