Game Commission Questioned About Deer Problem ARRISBURG tuphin Co.) The msylvania Farmers’ sedation (PFA) has led questions about H ag-chem EQUIPMENT CO. INC. For 25 years, Ag-Chem has been leading the way in quality products for every fertilizer and spraying application need! For more versatility from your tractor, we have 360 to 500 gallon saddle tank systems available for most tractors. Turn your pick-up into a sprayer with the SK4OO, Now with a newly designed suspension boom. From The Makers Of Terra-Gator! ag*chem EQUIPMENT CO. INC. Serving The Farming Industry For Over 25 Years. 1188 Enterprise Rd., East Petersburg, PA 17520 the PA Game Commis sion’s System for reduc ing the size of the state’s deer herd. PFA questioned deer EQUIPMENT CO. INC. Call Today For Our Current Catalog And The Dealers Nearest You herd management efforts during a Game Commission hearing in Harrisburg on Sunday, Jan. 6. PFA is a volun AG-CHEM (717) 569-2610 tary, statewide farm organization which rep resents over 23,000 families. PFA spokesman Full Line of Parts and Accessories From Leading Companies Like... • Spraying Systems • Hypro • Ace • Deiavan • Banjo • Rotec Tanks • Solo 3 Sizes to choose from for a variety of application needs. Built for commercial duty to take on the toughest lawn & garden jobs. ROTEC" CONE BOTTOM TANKS: HORIZONTAL TANKS (iHI) pS WM l = 3 Logan Bower of Blain, Perry County, noted that the Commission’s antlerless deer license allocation for last year • McKenzie • Fill Rite • Shurflo • Raven • Pacer • Valvtec • Scot Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 12, 1991-A37 was supposed to reduce deer populations in 51 counties, but only suc ceeded in 24 counties. “PFA believes that the Commission seri ously needs to question the formula used to determine how many antlerless licenses are required to bring about desired results,” said Bower who serves on PFA’s Wildlife Dam age Control Committee. “We believe the system may be flawed.” Bower noted that over the last five years the number of counties with deer herds at or below Game Commis sion goals has decreased from 16 to six. “How long will it take before populations of antlerless deer equal the established goals?” he asked. “We are told this will happen within five years under the cur rent formula for reduc tion. However, when looking at the progress made, or lack thereof, over the last five years, one has to question how serious we are in bring ing populations in line with goals.” Explaining why PFA wants the Commis sion’s goals reached. Bower said, “We are concerned because we believe that when a county is over goal, there is a greater chance for deer to move out of the woodlands, and cause more extensive crop damage.” Bower told the Com mission that, based on a survey of the boards of directors in its 54 coun ty associations, PFA estimates deer caused about $36.4 million worth of crop damage to its members last year. “Farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to make a living from fanning due to wildlife damage they are exper iencing,” Bower testi fied, “The year 1991 will be even more of a problem, as farm income in the state is projected to drop signif icantly due to lower commodity prices.” Farms going out of business due to low prices is a fact of life in a free enterprise system. Bower indicated. But, he added, “Farms going out of business due to wildlife damage is intolerable.” PFA believes crop damage problems need to be addressed on two fronts. “First,” Bower said, “A better job needs to be done to bring the deer popula tion in line with the car rying capacity of the woodlands, and second, more needs to be done to help the individual farmer deal with the damage on his farm.”
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