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Posted: 8/24/2024 4:29:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: 9divdoc]
[#4]
Quote History Originally Posted By rfb45colt:
LOL... so the deer moved from one "mature" forest (Nicolet) to another mature forest (Township of Washington) where I live? There's no immature forest here. No clear cuts for deer browse. When trees get cut down it's to make room for another home to be built. But the deer are still here in numbers never seen before. Forest maturing does do it, no arguments, but it's more of a gradual thing that occurs over time. It doesn't happen in just a few years. Deer numbers in Nicolet fell of the charts in 3-4 short years, and at the same time, they exploded just 3 miles away in semi-populated areas. A maturing forest cannot explain the suddeness of it, as both have matured equally. if anything, the natl forest has had more cutting than the private lands adjacent to it. The only explanation is deer went from one area to another one close by... en masse. Why? Maturity of forest and weather were indentical in both areas. People do still feed them, but it's been illegal here for a few years, and the local warden is very aggressive at enforcing the ban, so feeding is way down. Cost of feed has risen too. The only common denominator is wolves are there, but not here, and deer are not stupid.
Logging is ongoing in Nicolet where we hunt right now. Has been for several years. Grouse numbers have been very good for quite a few years in a row. I keep waiting for the crash to the down cycle, but it's way overdue. I bump birds almost every bear baiting trip... saw 2 juveniles just this morning, and there were probably more in that flock as they likely haven't dispersed yet. Cover was thick, but 2 flew right across the road in front of my Jeep when they jumped up.
Vilas County Forestry has done extensive logging west of Eagle River and in the Conover area for the past 15- 20 years. They manage it for wildlife very well. Areas that get overgrown in time are replaced by other areas being freshly logged. They try to keep a certain percentage of cutting, and allowing forests reaching maturity. They deal with far less politics (tree huggers) locally than in state, and especially, federal levels. There too, bird numbers are as high as I've ever seen them. I heard a lot of drumming while turkey hunting there this spring.
edit to add: I had a safe opening job just yesterday west on B, out by Bents Camp. Saw a nice bear on the way there, it was crossing B near Black Oak Lake. Saw 2 grouse on the way back home. Those were adult birds, right near Hwy S. View Quote Heck you were near Bent's could have bought you breakfast at the Pine Cone in LOL Next time you out on S let me know...show you the lake lot and the old estate it's on... Think you nailed it on the deer refugee status into human habitation...for now wolves do not like being too close to humans...that is changing like it does with all animals... Food and shelter from predators is the ultimate re-enforcer for behavior. And as they yard up in large herds their likelihood of transmitting disease to each other increases and the very thing the DNR goes after us mortals for encouraging by feeding birds in winter... We will be spending a lot of time out in that area after labor day...got 7 acres to clear and helping the new neighbors clearing theirs as well...be interesting to see how many deer show up...vs wolves... Did come on a kill site few days ago just off of the Tower Lake,White Spruce and 9 Web intersect.
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For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
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