I enjoy seeing the whitetail deer that we have in so many areas here in East Tennessee, but here in Hamilton County we have been approaching the maximum habitat sustainability in some places including the Enterprise South area. I make this statement due to the fact that I have seen up to 20 deer driving around in Hixson in one evening during the summer. I believe that TWRA is doing their best to manage the herd as we do have liberal harvest limits and plenty of opportunities to deer hunt.
But with that being said God sometimes brings things into check His own way and sometimes it is not pretty.
In the area I hunt I try to draw and manage the deer and I use game cameras to take inventory and I have noticed that the deer herd has diminished substantially, probably down 50 percent. In examining pictures of the deer my worst fears were confirmed that EHD was affecting the deer. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease or EHD is a horrible, prolonged death and, if you need to know further about it, there is plenty of information that can be found on the internet.
It is with the “Bambi” influence and mentality that harvesting deer is cruel and shouldn’t happen that usually leads to the most harm.
With that being said please understand the importance of managed hunting in maintaining a healthy and balanced deer herd.
Jay Reed
Falling Water
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Just because someone "hasn't seen deer for months" doesn't mean they are not there and in great numbers at that. Deer are not pets.
I don't know of any true hunter who kills for "fun." Hunting is a way of life for many and nothing goes to waste from the animals harvested by true hunters.
The deer numbers at Enterprise South have steadily increased every year and the Wounded Warrior hunt is not only the right approach on the conservation end, but also the right approach for these veterans who have risked so much for this amazing country.
Ian Maclellan
Ooltewah