Win–Win For

Nature And Humans

To the editor:

Not being a “deer expert” like all the other recent letter writers on this subject, I can only report personal experience on this issue.

I moved to Newtown in 1996. My first year I observed 41 deer visiting our property (ours is backed up by many acres of open land). These deer were pitiful. Skinny, gaunt, and always walking with heads down.

The following winter we counted 42 deer in similar condition. Each of the first two years we found two emaciated, obviously starved deer behind our property. We decided to feed them enough to sustain them for the whole winter.

The third year we decided to allow a family of hunters to harvest deer. Each of the last six years we have taken six–eight deer, both bucks and does. Happily, our “herd” is now maintained at 21–26 deer annually. They are fat, robust animals carrying heads high and full of energy. We feed them throughout the winter months and welcome the new fawns in spring. They reward us with a freezer full of nutritious cuts of venison.

This happens to be a terrible year for natural food for deer. I feel many will die of starvation this winter. By my experience, culling deer herds is not a one season thing. Once started, the hunt must continue each season to attain success.

As for me, as long as it is legal, we will continue to hunt them, eat them, and wear their skins. Impressive nine- and eight-point trophies adorn my great room walls. This method shows a good balance between nature and humans. A win-win situation.

                                             Tom Catalina

59 Butterfield Road, Newtown                                 January 13, 2009