Ohio hunters bagged 39,629 white-tailed deer on the first day of deer-gun season Monday, a slight increase from last year.
Preliminary figures from deer-check stations statewide showed hunters killed 934 more deer than the first day of the 2005 season, wildlife officials said.
The 10 counties yielding the most deer were: Tuscarawas, 1,858; Guernsey, 1,615; Coshocton, 1,503; Washington, 1,451; Holmes, 1,304; Harrison, 1,244; Licking, 1,192; Muskingum, 1,127; Athens, 1,101; and Meigs, 1,054.
In central Ohio, totals reported by the Ohio Division of Wildlife were: Fairfield, 574; Pickaway, 269; Delaware, 232; Franklin, 87; and Madison, 41.
Wildlife officials estimate about 400,000 hunters will kill 115,000 to 120,000 deer during the nine-day deer-gun season.
Is this something to be proud of? Of insecure men toting guns and killing 40,000 innocent animals who are just trying to survive on the land they occupied first? This will be a very sad nine days for Ohio. I will never understand hunting.
One of the most illogical pro-hunting statements I hear and see often is that hunting is a sport.
One definition of “sport” is “an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition.” Where exactly is the competition? Using high-tech equipment to locate and shoot an innocent animal who has no way to defend itself is not competition. Give the deer a gun and then it may be closer to a sport. Until then, you are not a sportsman. You are a violent killer with an ego who is insecure in your masculinity.
Some people hunt for sustenance. That’s fine and I could understand that, that’s how it was for many native settlers in this country. But I’m willing to bet the 40,000 deer killed on Monday were not killed to feed a family.
The claim that hunters take pride in their kills because they respect and admire the beautiful animal is complete crap.
Out of respect you kill it? What kind of fu–ed up logic is that?! So I should kill my whole family and all my friends and hang their heads on my wall? Do hunters know how ridiculous they sound when they say that?
There have already been a couple stories of hunters getting injured or killed, including a highway driver who was shot by a hunter shooting too close. Not that I want anyone to get hurt or killed, but really, times that pain by 120,000 and you’ll see how the deer feel. It’s not fun getting shot is it?
This whole thing is disgusting and overwhelmingly sad for me. It feels like another step back in morality and humanity.
c’mon,do you know how many of these “innocent” animals destroy crops,run out in front of cars?lots of them.it may not be a “sport” in your eyes,but its not MURDER either.the herds need to be thinned out.GET OVER YOURSELF.
They are innocent. They don’t run into cars on purpose, they’re not trying to get crushed on the hood of an SUV. They probably eat crops because they’re hungry and suburban sprawl has destroyed their natural food chain. How many forests and fields have been cleared for MI and Dominion Homes? Native animal species are the Native Americans of the 21st century, bowled over by American greed and development and then blamed for their own demise.
What are the numbers to support hunting as a way to control the population and how are those numbers calculated? And why is killing them the only solution? Are we really that stupid as to not be able to come up with any other solution? Humans are way more overpopulated and we don’t do mass killings for 9 days a year to fix that.
Get over myself? Well I would if this were about me, but it’s not, it’s about the animals. Plus, um, this is my blog.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this subject. The animals need more people like yourself to speak on their behalf. And remember, “Human Hunting Season” begins bright and early tomorrow morning. I hope to see you out in the woods!!
Well it was your story about Hocking Hills that got me started (I accidently hit K instead of H when typing that last sentence, but maybe Hocking Kills is more appropriate anyway.)
Yes I will see you soon, I’ve got my bright orange camo outfit on and my semi-automatic ready to go!
P.S. Good to see you’re finally registered on my site, keep commenting!! :-)
This is a great point at which to remove the “Get Over Yourself” insinuations, and try to grasp the reality of our current world.
You have a valid point. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Whitetail deer population needs to be thinned out, on a yearly basis. This is accomplished through the yearly granting of deer permits to both residents, and non-residents of the state. The short period of hunting is intended to prevent the over hunting of this animal, while at the same time, reducing it’s population to prevent unnecessary starvation and suffering on the remaining “living” animals.
Peacechicken’s point of view remains valid, in that a question still remains, why the slaughter?
Who determines what is a reasonable level of deer population?
What standards do they use to determine this level?
How many deer actually succumb to painful and severe starvation and freezing, due to lack of cover and resources, ei: food and shelter, vs. die from gunshot? What is more humane?
Last but surely not least, given the lawless behavior of many drivers on the road today, how many deer/car collisions could be avoided, if humans would repect the fact that other living creatures exist, and may indeed actually cross the road in search of food or shelter or water. Having realized there is actually a way to drive defensively, could not a majority of the car/deer collisions be avoided?
We as a civilized world, have to realize that our population is continuing to grow, while conversly expanding the territory it feels it needs to live in the style it feels it needs to live. Wildlife being the lesser educated of living species, and hence less able to defend itself, pays the ultimate price. We are seeing this happen now, as our oceans reach the point of losing their ability to reproduce.
The whole point boils down to “Who has the abilty to redirect life?”
Certainly not the deer.
I would like Mr. Blanc, to direct Peacechicken, and myself, to links and resources that validate the use of deer hunting season, as a means to prevent suffering. Both by preventing starvation of deer in winter, and by preventing death of humans in vehicle/deer collisions.
You both have valid points.
Teach me.
well check out the dispatch metro section in todays paper 12-1-06 for a little info(very little being the dispatch)
Hi Robert,
I only saw an article about hunting in the metro parks and one about car crashes. Did I miss another one that gave more info? If so could you post the link or the title of the article?
I really would like to try and understand the other side of this some more, I think it’s important whenever two people have completely and opposing views, if agreement can’t be reached, at least there could be a bit of understanding, no?
no p.c. there were no other items.the thinning of the herds,is a needed thing to prevent the diseases that over population harbors,like a strain of t.b. and a wasting disease that spreads rather rapidly.both of which are more cruel than somebody taking a shot at you.
if i find something i will be sure to share it with you,and i take back my rude “get over yourself” comment.
I know I’m a little behind in commenting and new to the blog but, I would like to say on behalf of those of us who have grown up hunting, fishing, camping hiking etc that we were always taught conservation. Sort of a keeping things in balance attitude.
I agree with robertblanc on thinning the herds etc. I have to say that I know of parts of the country where there are so many deer that you have to keep your garden and flowerbeds fenced.
Sure there are those as with any group or organization that tend to give the group as a whole a bad name and those should be taken with a grain of salt. We don’t condone their actions as representation of the whole.
The majority of the sportsmen and women I have been associated with over the years are not those kind of men or women for that fact. We do like catching the big fish and looking for that trophy that would go in the record books. But wholesale slaughter is not what its about.
Thanks for listening.
http://www.downthebarrell.com