DR.Rob,
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I hunt in lion and bear country. Lions and bears mean the deer and elk population is healthy.
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I meant to respond to this the first time around. The presence of lions and bears alone is not a clear indication of the health of the local deer and elk population. A
healthy lion and bear population is.
Again here in WA st. we have seen our lion and bear population rise out of control. The end result has been damage to virtually all of our other game populations; an astronomical increase in expenditures by the state to deal with problem animals, this includes: "Lockdowns" of schools in our state at the rate of one every 2-3 months. In peak season (late winter/early spring) this number goes up substantially. Repaying farmers and ranchers for everything from destroyed livestock to demolished bee hives. The bear population alone in eastern WA has caused millions of dollars in damage to an already besieged apple industry.
The toll on families in our state has been even more devastating. For the first time in over a century we have children in our state who are maimed and scarred from what the animal rights people euphamistically call "encounters" with "charrismatic mega-fauna".
A cat deep in the woods is to be treasured, and shown the deepest respect and admiration. The same cat made sick or lame from population pressure or lack of suitable habitat, becomes a real threat. All threats to life on my porch recieve the same treatment. I wouldn't even bother with a leg count.