“Hunting does provide sport and nutrition for hunters however I have found that some non-hunters even enjoy deer as a source of food”(Lt. Ingram). “With there being a higher number of hunters there is less of a need for science to get involved”(Lt. Ingram). According to Jonathan Shaw State Deer Biologist “Hunters pay for a license, and pay for excise tax on firearms and ammunition that goes directly towards wildlife research, management, and conservation”. Without the sales of the hunting gear firearms, ammunition, hunting license, there would be less sales to major and small stores. As the stores get less sales the less they eat out or purchase at other stores. Less hunters would have a negative impact long term on the economy for all over not just in local areas. “Hunting keeps the deer population in balance with the available habitat, and reduces instances of property damage (crops, ornamentals, vehicles etc.)”(Shaw). According to Jonathan Shaw he has found that avid hunters who abide by the law are also his best resources for helping to ensure the health and safety of the existing deer …show more content…
I wanted to find out how the numbers of the population can affect our eco system, and our way of life. According to Lt. Ingram he feels that if the numbers are too large or even to small this would greatly impact our economy. When the population is large the quality of the deer is lessened do to malnourishment. If the population is too small than Hunters will feel that they have to work to hard to ensure a kill on a deer. Both will affect the amount of out of state hunters that come to our state to enjoy a hunt. According to Shaw the WTD population plays an even more vital role in survival of both humans and animals. “WTD are a keystone species with tremendous ability to impact the environment. A deer eats about 1 ton of biomass per year, and they are concentrate selectors. Meaning the WTD do not eat at random this species selects the very best plants during a time of year when those plants are the most nutritious and easy to digest”(Shaw). Having to many deer eating the same amount of vegetation will indirectly affect the smaller animals. With the deer eating the vegetation close to the ground they are ultimately eating the homes to ground animals like rabbis, mice, and ground nesting birds. According to Shaw a large population of “WTD can kill off another species of smaller animals by eating the