Baiting Ban, Really??
Well they finally got it done! They tried and tried for years to ban baiting deer in Lincoln County. They just had to find that one deer, which by the way if you determine statistically what that one deer represents in terms of the total deer population; it is very, very small. But then again to be able to make that calculation you have to have some basic mathematical understanding of simple division and a belief and understating in the basic principles of probability. History when it comes to managing the deer heard in Wisconsin and the DNR does not lend itself well to mastery in statistical predictions.
Here’s my question. When they pick the corn this coming fall and the picker leaves residual corn lying in the field and the deer accumulate to consume the corn, as they do in my field, is someone going to run out in the fields and “shoo” the deer away, or are we going to ban planting corn? If I have a deer stand overlooking the same field and I hunt there, am I baiting? No? If not and I pick the corn up and move it to a different spot, am I baiting? Does moving the corn cause chronic wasting disease? When the deer accumulate at the end of my field to feed off the apples from the apple tree, is someone from the DNR going to post at all these wild apple trees to “shoo” off the deer or is the DNR going to declare all these wild apple trees illegal and demand they be cut down? Am I still allowed to hunt near the apple tree? Am I going to be allowed to continue to have apple trees and a plot of sweet corn in my yard or is that going to get banned also? How about all the wild foliage the deer feed off of in the woods or are we going to hang little signs on the shrubbery declaring this area off limits for feeding? If I pick the apples up from under my tree and move them to a different location, does that mean I’m spreading chronic wasting disease? Does moving the apples cause chronic wasting disease? If so why hasn’t it been a problem for the last 200 years?
If deer feeding at a single location caused chronic wasting disease, there would probably be no deer in Wisconsin since they have been doing so since the beginning. Where’s the data that suggests baiting causes chronic wasting disease? The tragedy of this whole issue is some “expert” sitting in some office who wants baiting banned can make this decision without having to consult anyone. If you think hunting should not allow baiting and just like sitting in a tree stand, you deserve a Davy Crockett hat. I personally don’t care for them. Involve a group of enlightened individuals with common sense, this whole issue would end up with a different decision. Where is the data that suggests no baiting for three years will eliminate chronic wasting disease? This would be a great case to challenge in court. The question is, “what is considered baiting?” Does baiting cause chronic wasting disease? Where’s the data?
I’ve got an idea. Since the individual who made this decision doesn’t care about the impact it may have, let’s not care either. Let’s boycott buying deer license. Let’s get in their pocketbook. The total increase in the deer population would have so many deer running around causing damage and auto accidents, which are the real issues, the DNR will be begging us to bait just to help reduce the population. Let’s not support these individuals who make these decisions without caring about the impact it may have on economics in Wisconsin. We can have a voice also.
Mike Closser
Merrill
Editor,
Congressional Republican members are in the process of inventing an FBI conspiracy theory and Wisconsin’s Senator Ron Johnson has jumped on the bandwagon. Mr. Johnson proclaimed that a “Secret Society” was holding meetings off site. Later Johnson said that he was just repeating what he heard and did not have any proof of these claims.
Republicans should be focused on the real conspiracy. One example, is General Michael Flynn, son-in-law of the President Jared Kushner and United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions all claimed that they did not meet with Russian operatives. All three have been proven to have lied about contacts that did happen and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
If President Trump and his campaign officials are innocent of any wrongdoing, then why not let the Russian investigation run its course and prove that? Instead of trying to discredit our intelligence agencies and their personnel. The Republican Congressional members were hired to work for the people, not against the country.
Patrick Hommerding
Merrill
To the Editor and The Merrill Community:
On Feb. 17, St. John Lutheran Church and School in Merrill, will host its 7th Annual Auction event at Les & Jim’s Banquet Hall. We, on the Auction Committee, want to take this time to write a “Thank You” to all those individuals and businesses who responded to our requests for donations. St. John Lutheran School is a quality, excellent PreSchool through Grade 8 school, where on a daily basis, students develop and maintain a close relationship with God, their peers, and teachers. We have created a safe learning environment where students grow in faith and knowledge.
For the last few months, we have been amazed and blessed at the generosity of business leaders and the entire community, who truly believe our mission is important. Your support for our school has been TREMENDOUS!
With the growing list of donations, we are assured of another wonderful event on Feb. 17, that will allow our community to come together for an evening of FUN!
Blessings:
St. John Lutheran Church & School Auction Committee Members