Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly Rod
Nothing like discussions when there is little or no information available on the subject, the "high fence" ranch in this case. I am not concerned about fences causing cwd nor did I intend to imply they do. It is only the very high risk of cwd transmition among the contained population that concerns me. I am doubly concerned about the risk of escape of infected animals. In the wild transmittion of cwd will still occur but at a much lower rate than in captivity. If an infected population escapes then there is an unnatural concentration of cwd released in an area. That is the primary risk, an unnatural concentration of cwd in a wild population. That is unacceptable to me.
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I agree that Elk and Deer "farms" should take measures to monitor their herds (and some do). It is from these sources that CWD is most likely to exist/spread. I think you would agree that large Private Ranches are not the same thing. I don't want to see the disease in ANY population of the herd (wild or otherwise).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly Rod
A 10 acre or 10,000 acre high fence ranch is still a high fence ranch. I choose not to hunt high fence and choose not to support high fence hunting for native species. I believe the only place non-native species should be is behind high fences.
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I suppose this will always be a topic for debate. No doubt, there is potential for abuse when utilizing High Fence on small parcels of land. IMO, that is what a "canned hunt" is. I openly condemn that practice wherever it takes place. But, I also fail to understand the fervor over hunting land that is often times measured in many square miles just because it has a perimeter fence.
To me, the size and layout of the property is what matters. Others will not consider any acreage at all.
If I put a perimeter fence along the boundaries of the State of Oregon...you would not hunt it?
This completely ignores the fact that vast majority of the wildlife of that state would have unimpeded mobility and live and die without ever laying eyes on a fence.
Elk need special consideration IMO, because their "home-range" is so large. That is not as true when considering Mule Deer or Whitetails in most areas. Still, "high fencing" is almost universally condemned by those living in Western states.
I think this is worth revisiting:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...t=high+fencing