Southern whitetail deer are small - maybe half the
weight of their northern kin. Those in this video are actually closer to my RV than the optics made them appear. Southern deer are every bit as skittish though. It is hunting season so they're on the menu and in the sights of visitors with firearms. Those fortunate enough to be drawn by lottery get the opportunity to hunt on refuge property. But nowhere within a few miles of staff housing. So we're not in much danger of accidental gunshot injuries. And we damn well shouldn't be intentional victims - however many legs we have!
It's been interesting to learn more about deer, and hunting them, in different parts of the country. Like most elsewhere they have no natural predators left to cull their herds and balance populations on both sides of the food chain. Here in Cameron County they have a problem with Cattle Fever Ticks which are also carried by deer. So now hunters can harvest up to five deer, including three bucks. Does, yearling and fawns are all fair game, which really surprised me. Growing up hunting in MI the rules were much more restrictive. I really have no idea now since I left that state, and hunting too as it turned out, thirtysome years ago.
Hunters here have to comply with certain regulations. Beginning with a mandatory orientation that first morning of each hunt session. It's all about education so everyone knows what to expect and how to comply. They are required to check heir game with staff before leaving refuge property each day. During hunts our volunteer outpost building doubles as a check station. One or more refuge staff (usually a volunteer position - but someone else, I'm maintenance projects) is available to help. Hunters and checkers are assisted by Law Enforcement - one or more Federal Wildlife Officers employed by regional US Fish & Wildlife Service. Then there are participants from two other agencies - Texas Parks & Wildlife and USDA. Clearly, the whole process is managed very seriously.
The ticks have become a big enough problem that the county is currently under quaranteen. Hunters have to skin their game before it leaves the refuge. Hides are inspected for ticks and if any are found they are identified and sent off for analysis to determine whether they are carriers. Hides are also frozen on site to kill any ticks on them. Hunters then have to wait at least 48 hours before claiming their hides if they want them.
It's interesting. Nature took care of everything before humans. We changed the world to suit our desires. Now we try to manage Nature to maintain some kind of balance as we see fit. I hope we truly learn to become better friends (stewards) to Nature. It's so easy to be greedy, selfish and arrogant without even trying. Why does it seem so much harder to be humble?
