AUGUSTA—The legislative public hearing on potential deer hunting changes on Mount Desert Island, LD 1438, HP 947, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at the Cross Building, Room 206, in the State House.
Allowing deer hunting on MDI would be a solution to the over population on MDI. Deer eating gardens in towns during the day says the population has out grown the natural carrying capacity. You can count 30-50 deer from Seawall to the junction of 102 in SWHbr. That is way too many for the area and increases the potential for CWD to wipe out the entire population. I don't want to see sharp shooters paid to eliminate animals but allowing bow or shot gun hunting only would be a benefit to ease the situation we have now. In the 1970s, there was a poaching ring on the Island and we didn't have a deer problem. Most of those who were in the ring have passed on having been replaced by deer feeders which has contributed to over population.
Allowing deer hunting on MDI would be a solution to the over population on MDI. Deer eating gardens in towns during the day says the population has out grown the natural carrying capacity. You can count 30-50 deer from Seawall to the junction of 102 in SWHbr. That is way too many for the area and increases the potential for CWD to wipe out the entire population. I don't want to see sharp shooters paid to eliminate animals but allowing bow or shot gun hunting only would be a benefit to ease the situation we have now. In the 1970s, there was a poaching ring on the Island and we didn't have a deer problem. Most of those who were in the ring have passed on having been replaced by deer feeders which has contributed to over population.