wheels of justice turn slowly

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HB01257I.HTM

someone has recognized the deer problem but it's going to be after
September of this year before anything even starts to be done about it.
i bet it's going to be a helluva hunting season this fall with a larger
bag limit. i hope they do more than that, like substantially extend the
season for several months in addition to uppping the bag limits. maybe
we'll be lucky and some counties will actively pursue an eradication
program. that's wishful thinking.



Sec. 43.656. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September
1, 2006.
SECTION 2. (a) In this section, "department" means the
Parks and Wildlife Department.
(b) The department shall study the population density of
deer in this state and the effect that deer have on economic,
agricultural, horticultural, and aquacultural interests in this
state.
(c) The study must identify:

(1) areas of the state, by county or municipality, if
applicable, that historically experience or suffer from:
(A) deer overpopulation;

(B) significant economic damage or serious
damage to agricultural, horticultural, and aquacultural interests
caused by deer; or
(C) a significant number of accidents involving
motor vehicles and deer; and
(2) potential solutions to the problems described by
Subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(d) In conducting the study, the department shall cooperate
and consult with the Texas Cooperative Extension and county offices
of the Texas Cooperative Extension.
(e) As soon as possible after the effective date of this Act
and not later than September 1, 2005, the department shall begin the
study. Not later than September 1, 2006, the department shall
complete the study.
SECTION 3. As soon as possible after the effective date of
this Act and not later than September 1, 2006, the Parks and
Wildlife Department shall establish the program required by Section
43.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, as soon as possible after the effective date of this Act,
the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Cooperative
Extension shall implement Subchapter S, Chapter 43, Parks and
Wildlife Code, as added by this Act.
(b) If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, Subchapter S, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife
Code, as added by this Act, does not take effect.
SECTION 5. Except as provided by Section 4(b) of this Act:

(1) this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a
vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution; and
(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

 

I can already hear the protests starting.....

It's also my wish that your wish comes true.

 

they can taste pretty good if prepared properly.

you do ? tell me please, what is feeding on the deer to keep their
population in check ? do you have any figures for the crop damage
caused by deer overpopulation? what else is at risk, both animal and
plant life, because of the natural forage destruction done by deer
overpopulation ?

all of those factors are generally under the control of semi-intelligent
humans, not the incredibly stupid deer. it's not even taking into
account the annual crop damage from deer. it's a very large problem in
most of the state and across the country.

reducing deer population is no more out of the question than sanding
bridges when icing conditions are expected. it is a controllable factor
if control is actually instigated. that's why there is a study under
way that was instigated by the state legislature and hopefully in
september there will be a good plan to deal with the problem. it is a
major problem.

on average 4 people a day are injured in motor vehicle collisions with
deer in texas. most of those are in cars. can you name any other wild
animal causing this much havoc ?

 

and those are causing how many deaths or injuries per month ? hell,
there isn't even a hunting season for them, except squirrels, but
squirrels won't take out a car. there's been a control effort on deer
by hunting for many years, with bonus tags in some counties. it's just
about as bad as it's ever been right now.

i'm not totally over the top on deer, even if it comes across that way.
a lot of people just don't even realize there is a problem, until
suddenly there are hooves and antlers sticking thru their windshield or
someone they know gets taken down. i've had some close encounters to
make me very aware, as have others here who've gotten too close.

same to yaz 8^D

 

Since you replied to my reply:
I like deer too. In sausage, barbequed, whatever. The meat also makes
exceptional tamales. I don't want to erradicate them, just get the
population down to acceptable levels, for safety.

I'm glad you've never hit a deer, nor had one hit you. Speaking from
personal experience, if you ever did hit one, or have one hit you, or had
someone you love to collide with one, you'd know exactly how I feel. One
ran into me in June of '03. In April of '04, my husband T-boned one.
We're still riding and enjoying it but knowing that a deer can appear in an
instant, is a bit unsettling, especially when they can be seen wandering
through town and getting hit!

I know all about the food chain. That chain was broken years ago, when
people started killing off all the large predators. Now the only time the
deer become prey, is during hunting season, or when some motorists takes one
out.

And I'm going to move to Houston? Not likely! My SL's brother had to chase
a buck out of an Albertson's grocery store in San Antonio. Several deer
have been hit on the main street of Breckenridge and deer can be found in
and around any small city in the hill country. We're seeing herds of deer,
where they haven't been seen in years.

Ah, how cute.
Like I said, I hope you never have that experience but if you do and it
doesn't kill you, it will change your life forever.