Over 70% of New York State’s forests are not regenerating
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Harsh winters with deep snow, Indigenous subsistence hunting and predators kept deer numbers low - these regulating factors no longer exist
Deer were wiped out by unregulated hunting by the mid-late 1800s
Efforts to restore deer populations were hugely successful
Since the 1970s/80s recreational hunting has failed to adequately manage deer populations for ecosystem health
If we do not address deer overpopulation there is no future for our forests.
DEER ARE A GREATER THREAT TO FORESTS THAN CLIMATE CHANGE
Widespread forest regeneration failure (i.e. no young oak trees)
Prevents northward migration of plant species
No regeneration; carbon sequestration compromised
DECADES OF DEER OVERPOPULATION HAS DESTROYED NATIVE BIODIVERSITY
Widespread local extinctions of native plant species
Collapsing food webs reduce bird and pollinator populations
Accelerated spread of invasive plants and earthworms
NYSDEC RELIES ON HUNTING TO MANAGE DEER, BUT…
Recreational hunters do not adequately reduce deer numbers
NYCDEC offers very limited tools to manage deer
No incentives for hunters to fill doe tags
Illegal to sell or market WILD venison
HUMANS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO FIX IT
Human health impacts include tickborne disease & car collisions
Deer are the ONLY host of adult black legged ticks (deer ticks) meaning that deer ticks rely on deer in order to reproduce. If deer populations were reduced there would be fewer ticks and less Lyme Disease risk.
Overpopulation leads to deer suffering & starving
CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES NOT WORKING
Recreational hunting is ineffective
Sterilization is ineffective & costly with unintended consequences
Hiring sharpshooters is costly with temporary results
Cars kill more deer than hunters in many places