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It's just like feeding birds, they become dependent on it, and do not move to their natural wintering grounds. I Think it's great if a person decides to feed some deer on their property, but, only if they can continue feeding well into March. I you can't it will do more harm than good.
They don't have the bacteria and the particular enzymes in their stomachs to digest the hay. (elk are different) It fills them up but they don't get the energy from the digestion they need to survive. Their bellys are full but they start starving. Sort of like when they fill up on cheat in the spring then end up starving to death on it, or *censored*ting themselves to death. The alfalfa peelets give them enrgy and so does corn I understand.
I give back in the way of time and money. Join a conservaiton group like Mule Deer Foundation, RMEF, Pheasants Forever, NWTF, etc...plant that habitat. That is what is important. Fund conservation easements to curtail development in wintering grounds. Look at the Chelan Area, bitterbrush being dozed for houses. We need to support conservation of habitat. Through easements or land purchases. There are conservation districts in every county...get involved. Go out this spring and plant some winter habitat for pheasants. This is one way I help give back. Call county commissioners and WDFW representatives and volunteer. Master hunters use your 40 hours planting habitat. Habitat still is the key to wildlife!
Quote from: yelp on December 27, 2008, 02:01:29 PMI give back in the way of time and money. Join a conservaiton group like Mule Deer Foundation, RMEF, Pheasants Forever, NWTF, etc...plant that habitat. That is what is important. Fund conservation easements to curtail development in wintering grounds. Look at the Chelan Area, bitterbrush being dozed for houses. We need to support conservation of habitat. Through easements or land purchases. There are conservation districts in every county...get involved. Go out this spring and plant some winter habitat for pheasants. This is one way I help give back. Call county commissioners and WDFW representatives and volunteer. Master hunters use your 40 hours planting habitat. Habitat still is the key to wildlife! Yelp, could you PM me with who to contact, I've called around a bit and gotten the run around. I'd love to volunteer to help with habitat restoration, planting, etc.We only have 2+ acres here but as I plant and landscape I keep the wildlife in mind and plant for them. In 2 years we have now had deer show up, and I saw a nice covey of mountain quail. So next spring I think I will designate some food plots for both. I prefer to not feed the birds, but I do plant lots of seed bearing flowers and grasses and I leave them for winter feed. My gardens look a bit messy that way but I love the variety of birds I am getting.