then you have never met a farmer in the valley.

True enough that they are both animals. They're both edible (usually). One is beautiful, graceful, magnificent and respected. The other is ugly, smelly, dirty and destructive. The main reason though, is that one belongs here and the other doesn't.

People hunt coyotes, prairie dogs, nutria, rabbits, etc. and let them lay.

Wonder if the tone of this post would change if posters were required to state and support
1. How many acres you actually own
2. What type agriculture product you actually raise
3. How much of your income is dependent on agriculture

Is this is the same attitude you portray at the boy scout jamboree or your social meetings. I believe we have more damage done by 2 legged exotics but for some reason they enter into the Bambi side of the equation. Fences cut and torn down, equipment destroyed, irrigation systems messed up, livestock shot, wildlife poached, vandalism, barns and sheds shot up, etc.

Why do you feed creeps? I wouldn't want 'em creepin' around personally. Maybe if you stop feeding creeps the hogs will go elsewhere.

Deer are a native game species and hogs are introduced exotic species.

Because hogs do far more land damage than deer. In fact, I've never heard of a land owner complaining that deer are tearing up his place.

then you have never met a farmer in the valley.

I eat both, but if i shoot a boar hog over 100 he feeds the local ecosystem. I just don't think the big boars are worth it. I've tried on two and ended up turning both into jerky for the dogs.

my first question was:

"Any issues with shooting hogs and leaving them lay?"

and numerous memebers indicated they would, have and would again shoot a hog and leave it lay.

now if we change one word in the sentence...

Any issues with shooting DEER and leaving them lay?

why would your opinion change? (other than the legality of such actions...)


I am really not a troll or trying to start a pissing match. It is something that I think about a bunch. Why it is acceptable to leave pork chops in the field but we hold venison with such high reguard. Both animals make great table fare, both animals can be very destructive to crops, and both can get over-populated if not kept in check.

Personally we have shot deer and NEVER left them in the field, but this year alone we dumped 3 of the 6 hogs we shot. We tried to give the other 3 away but couldn't find any takers unless they were processed or quartered-which is funny because my work puts me in contact with a lot of less fortunate folks...but thats another issue entirely.

Dave

Can't farmers legally shoot deer (and let them lie) that are causing depredation to their crops? Last I checked they could.

Deer can be fenced out, hogs will go through any fence. there is a big difference between the two. I see many high fences going up to keep deer out.

Deer are a nuisance. Anyone remember how great hunting was in the 50's? Ranchers and farmers took drastic measures to controll the deer population that woild seem draconian by todays standards.

Once farmers and ranchers began to see the benefits of keeping whitetail herds, conservation and management brought us to where we are today. With hogs the economic benefit will never outweigh the damage caused. It's not really an ethical issue with me, but more of an economical one.