Bad Economy Hits Deer Hunters?
October 24, 2009
Downeast where the deer season is in full swing reports of empty campgrounds and not many hunters on the Game Lands may be a result of the bad economy. These areas are prime dog hunting areas where the thick cover is difficult to hunt without the aid of a deer hound.
Outdoor writer Mike Marsh reported on this in the Star News this week getting the following quote from Vic French biologist with North Carolina Wildlife Commission.
“People can’t afford to go hunting,” he said. “A lot of the hunters who used to keep dogs don’t do it any longer. People who used to drive here to hunt are staying closer to home or doing other things that are less expensive.”
Mike further reports that the Game Land’s Campground was virtually empty when in the past it would be full.
With unemployment running in double digits and many folks getting laid off I think people have scaled back on hunting expenses. I think many will still hunt but they are apt to hunt closer to home. I have not had anyone tell me they are not hunting this year so I’m not sure why such a drastic drop seems to be happening down east especially on Game Lands where rising lease costs would not factor in for hunters there.
It will be interesting to see what the harvest numbers look like at the end of the season because many folks I believe will need to kill some deer to make ends meet. I think a deer that may of gotten a pass in previous years may find itself on the dinner table feeding hungry folks.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
[...] In the local newspaper this week Fred Bonner talks about the decline of this sport. This is the second article I’ve seen this season about this topic and it is sad to see a local cultural hunting tradition go [...]