NYT - Deer Breeding Industry Looks to Lawmakers to Relax Rules

[HuntingNY-News]

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/us/texas-deer-breeders-seek-relaxation-of-rules.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/04/05/us/05ttDeer/05ttDeer-thumbStandard.jpg" border="0" height="75" width="75" hspace="4" align="left"></a>Breeders says current oversight is constraining the multimillion-dollar industry, but environmentalists say it has overstepped its bounds by shifting toward the commercial hunting industry.

View the full article

[Doc]

I have no particular interest in this industry other than how it may inadvertantly effect the health of wild herds. For example the CWD problems that seem to spring up from areas around domestic herds. As far as any other aspect of the business, as far as I know, it is no different than any other livestock enterprise. I have to admit that I find it an unhappy turn of events that some people feel that they need deer raised for their "hunting", but that does seem to be one direction that hunting is naturally evolving toward. People do what they think they need to do.

 

As far as the regulation of the industry is concerned, it's really none of my business as long as it doesn't impact wild herds.

[mike rossi]

I have no particular interest in this industry other than how it may inadvertantly effect the health of wild herds. For example the CWD problems that seem to spring up from areas around domestic herds. As far as any other aspect of the business, as far as I know, it is no different than any other livestock enterprise. I have to admit that I find it an unhappy turn of events that some people feel that they need deer raised for their "hunting", but that does seem to be one direction that hunting is naturally evolving toward. People do what they think they need to do.

 

As far as the regulation of the industry is concerned, it's really none of my business as long as it doesn't impact wild herds.

Would you like 37 pages why it might be some of your business?

[HectorBuckBuster]

Just read the article. So they can raise the deer and release them, and can not hunt them till 10 days after they have been released. This issue is all about the money and not the sport of hunting.

[mike rossi]

Final Position Statement

Confinement of Wild Ungulates within High Fences1

Demand for hunting and the sale of live wild ungulates (hoofed mammals) and their products has

promoted the growth of an industry that raises wild native and exotic ungulates in captivity,

within managed properties. High (avg. 2.4 m) fences are used to attempt to control the movement

of animals to improve the management of captive wildlife and their habitat, reduce immigration

of non-managed animals, and as a deterrent to poaching. Biological issues relating to confined

wild ungulates include behavioral effects of enclosed animals, diseases associated with

confinement and shipping, genetic effects of confinement and transport from natural ranges,

habitat effects, effects on nontarget species, and effects on native species and habitats outside of

the fence. Ecological health within fenced habitats, however, may increase when improved

effectiveness of population control is combined with proper captive wildlife and habitat

management. Social issues related to confined ungulates include cultural and legal issues of

public versus private ownership of wildlife resources, hunter ethics, public perception of hunting,

commercialization, and domestication of wild animals, and ecological stewardship.

The use of high fences to confine ungulates may have specific and legitimate uses in wildlife

management and research, but it also carries the potential for significant adverse impacts.

The policy of The Wildlife Society with respect to ungulate confinement is to:

1. Recognize the serious biological (diseases, genetic effects, etc.) and social (public

versus private ownership of wildlife, ethics) issues associated with confinement of wild

ungulates.

2. Oppose any additional conversion of the public's native wildlife to private ownership

via high-fenced enclosures.

3. Oppose high-fenced enclosures, regardless of size, if they exclude free-ranging native

wildlife from critical seasonal habitats or migration routes, or jeopardize the

sustainability of free-ranging native wildlife.

4. Support regulations and enforcement to prevent escapes of confined animals and

facilitate recovery in the event of an escape.

5. Support state and provincial wildlife agencies as the primary regulatory authority over

native North American ungulates, including those confined by high fences. State and

provincial wildlife agencies should work cooperatively with other state, provincial, and

federal agricultural, wildlife, and health agencies as well as hunting groups,

conservation organizations, private landowners, and managers to reduce the potential

for problems such as disease transmission and genetic exchange among native wildlife

and exotic species.

Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship Through Science and Education

6. Support the regulation of captive exotic ungulates by state and provincial wildlife

agencies.

7. Encourage anyone using a high fence to confine ungulates to thoroughly analyze and

acknowledge potential impacts to native free-ranging wildlife species and commit to

minimizing any such risks This requires a well-coordinated effort of state, provincial,

and federal agencies, hunting groups, conservation organizations, private landowners,

and managers.

8. For all ungulates confined by high fences, encourage management at or below natural

carrying capacity in a manner that prevents inbreeding, diseases, habitat degradation,

and effects on non-target species.

9. Encourage authorized agencies to collaborate with interested parties on funding and

development of systems for detecting and monitoring wildlife diseases within enclosed

and free-ranging native and exotic ungulate populations.

10. Support a moratorium on the construction of high-fenced facilities and any shipment of

live cervids until live-animal diagnostic tests are available for detecting and monitoring

important infectious diseases.

11. Oppose the use of funds generated from traditional sources (recreational licenses, tags,

and other fees) for confined-ungulate inspections and regulatory programs.

 

1Refer to the Technical Report on Confinement of Wild Ungulates within High Fences (#02-3) for the scientific

rationale on which this position description is based. http://wildlife.org/documents/technical-reviews/docs/UngulateConfinement02-3.pdf

 

Approved by Council September 2009. Expires September 2014.