If we've artificially destroyed their cold-weather shelters we should provide temporary artificial support until that balance is met. 

    ~~~~~

by Wayne Selfridge

      "Fair" is the strongest word I can muster to describe my hunter-success forecast for Aroostook's upcoming whitetail deer season.

     When I read wildlife biologists' reports about populous deer-per-square-mile densities in other parts of this state, and the thousands of additional antlerless deer permits being awarded to control their burgeoning populations, I have to give those foresighted public servants credit. Aroostook, unfortunately, has not fared as well, failing to gain ground in reviving deer populations that once existed here. Why is there such disparity? The answer to our northern deer dilemma can be summed up in four words--depletion of winter habitat.

     The misinformed who blame the coyote for everything need only to look at the skyrocketing deer numbers that were attained at the same time that this wild dog naturally populated our state. Of course lowly poachers, dogs, and deer/car accidents take their toll, but when it's all added up the destruction of our winter deer yards is the sole barrier to the recovery of a viable northern herd. 

     Especially in our northern limit of the whitetail's range these cold-weather feeding and security areas are of utmost importance. For eight months or better, there is plenty of deer forage in Aroostook. I believe that its time to take drastic woodland reconditioning measures so that Aroostook County's deer herd can return to its traditional sustainable numbers.  

     State biologists and foresters are working with the lumber companies to protect existing deer yards from further eradication, which is a stabilizing step in the right direction. I'd like to see that taken further. It's time for these entities, working with sporting clubs and other related civic organizations that volunteer time, to replant and cultivate appropriate winter-cover and feed trees to redevelop perennial wintering yards and vastly expand the existing ones. And although controversial, in that interim period that may take years to realize mature growth, we should supplement their lack of winter fodder with human subsidized feeding.

     I know the thought of it make some biologists cringe, but there are as many arguments for as against the practice. Aroostook's forests can support substantially more deer than it presently does if we can just provide the restored wintering habitat to marry up with the temperate-weather range survivability. If we've artificially destroyed their cold-weather shelters we should provide temporary artificial support until that balance is met. Now that I've encouraged the debate and letters to the editor will come flooding in from both sides, I just want to say that what's been done to the County's deer population is nothing short of tragic for the resource and for the sportsmen in our area who deserve much better.

     Now, let me get off my orator's soap box and give you an idea of where your best chances of bagging a buck are in The County. At either polar end of Aroostook are your best bets. I'm spending a week at an Allagash deer camp, tramping the ridges of the watershed area where the Allagash River converges with the St. John River. At the southernmost end of The Crown I would suggest the famed Haynesville Woods or Forkstown region. I've taken two bucks out of there in the last three years and have seen some bruisers brought in by sportsmen in nearby camps. Both my son and I were chosen for doe permits and are looking forward to the hunt. Be safe and I hope you see brown hair in your scope.

~Wayne Selfridge is a seasoned outdoorsman who has hunted and fished throughout the world as a military veteran. He works in law enforcement and also serves as the Sporting Journal's Northern Sales Manager. He is also a member of the Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge.

© 2000 Northwoods Sporting Journal