12/27/2014
Stop the Annual Murder of Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Deer
Every year our Government mandates the killing of "surplus" deer In The Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They ignore the implementation of deer contraceptives and fabricate the necessities of these deaths. Disregarding these options deer are killed under the guise of a few insipid excuses. These questionable concerns present as follows: to end the inevitable starvation of deer, to prevent deer/car accidents and to end the insidious encroachment of deer on private property.
This thinning of the herd is carried out by avid and blood thirsty bow hunters. Some are professional bow hunters while others are amateurs that are approved for the hunt after a Wildlife Official assesses their skills. The use of bow hunters are preferred as guns are dangerous, stray bullets can travel great distances and the sound of the guns will scatter the herd from the baited deer stands.
Bow hunting is a very brutal and draconian method of hunting. Most deer shot by a bow and arrow don't die immediately but struggle on suffering until their death.
Quoting Whitehead Meats, who have processed the corpses in past years said. "They come in nice and clean, heads cut off and fetuses removed; ya know they have to keep count of the fetuses."
In 2004 Steve Hindi, Head of Sharkonline.org, placed cameras in various areas of the park to record the killings. Steve alleged that some wounded deer were tracked and mortally shot while other's heads were placed in plastic bags in an apparent attempt to suffocate them. This was denied by the park officials, after they viewed secret video recordings Steve had made of the hunt. They claimed the thrashing of the bagged animals was obviously normal body reactions to their deaths.
One of the excuses for shooting these deer is the lack of food and their inevitable death due to starvation. Isn't that nice of hunters to thin the herds there by assuring enough food for the remainder of animals? It is noticeable during hunting season when all the brave hunters grab their weapons of choice and get their kill, the deer, tied a top their cars, why are they always the well fed and healthy corpses?
Is it not strange that in their quest to end the starvation they never humanely kill a starving, skinny and suffering animal?
Normally Mother Nature looks after her own. She keeps the herds regulated, the size in proportion to their feeding and living area. With the murders of many deer the doe fawns are more likely to have their first offspring the following fall, enlarging the herd beyond previous numbers.
The next vapid reason to kill deer is to prevent the deer/car accidents. Not only do hunters kill all the starving deer but also the ones that cause deer and car impacts. Have you ever heard of a more noble group of hunters. They can actually tell which deer will cause an accident, clairvoyant bunch indeed.
This problem can be managed by putting reflectors on the road which allow deer to see your car moving toward them which forewarns the deer not to proceed. Signs can also be erected in the parks alerting drivers in the areas where deer usually cross the roads. Finally people speeding can certainly slow down a bit and drive cautiously.
None of us take a car accident lightly. In 2005, 40% of fatal auto accidents were caused by drunk drivers and 80% were of the incidents were attributed to humans speeding. Some of these drivers have been ticketed and jailed numerous times for driving while intoxicated. Perhaps we should we be thinning out that herd through more astringent laws and severe penal recourse.
Finally the situation of deer trespassing on private property and its' appetite for the plant life, be it tree, shrub or flower. The best solution is to contact a reputable landscaper and under their advice dress your yard in bushes, trees and flowers repugnant to deer while still pleasing to your eye. If changing the plant life on your yards is offensive to you there are repellents that keep deer off and out of your very precious greenery and blooms.
Can you see you are being duped by the park system. Deer are dying just so humans can have the pleasure of killing and eating them. This being followed by the debacle hanging of the deer heads on the walls of their homes or clubhouses. Obviously this holds some great significance to the hunter as normally we don't hang the head of most animals we consume, such as livestock. That would be a repulsive habit and would mean people weren't trying to keep up with the Jones anymore but a "head" of the Jones' .
As spring brings about a new rebirth in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, people that care for the lives of these deer will once again reorganize and gather more supporters. With renewed valor and determination these dedicated warriors can continue their honorable challenge. They will be the voice for the deer that didn't die from the silent arrows of death.
People will speak out, write letters, hold protests, educate others and persevere. They will continue until our park becomes peaceful and safe, no longer the Cuyahoga National Valley of Death.
