Jul21
Bob Barker Defends Mommy Deer
Posted at 12:32 PM | Permalink
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Comments (20)
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The deer have been using an ancestral woods path (which now goes through a small development) to reach what remains of the woods, where they sleep at night. Until, that is, one neighbor got all up in arms over some flowers that the deer allegedly had a nibble on (flowers, really?) and got a "nuisance kill" permit from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) to abate the "nuisance."
The neighbor has hired a bow hunter in full regalia, who has set up a tree stand and even deployed a decoy, a lure, to attract the deer to where he can shoot them. There are easy and simple things you can do to live in harmony with wildlife, of course, but it takes a heart.
Props to the other neighbors who are fighting back hard to have the permit revoked and were able to contact Bob Barker—not by some spectacular third degree of separation miracle, by the way: One of the neighbors operated on Mr. Barker when he fell ill in Washington. Mr. Barker shot off a letter to the DGIF, which you can read here
Like many neighborhoods, this community is experiencing wildlife up close because, sadly, these wonderful, capable, now almost homeless animals are being forced to search for food, shelter, and some plain old stimulation—in part because trees are being chopped down faster than you can yell timber just to make room for more strip malls, grocery stores, and, yes, even more Wal-Marts. Jump on over to HelpingAnimals.com for handy tips on how to humanely handle wildlife.
Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky
TAGGED:
deer wildlife bob barker
Comments
Seems like the problem is the neighbor, not the deer. I would work on getting them to move--Maybe karma will step in here....... :-)
Anyway, I give credit to Bob Barker. He's always been a great advocate for the animals.
Posted by: Antigone1000 | July 21, 2008 11:54 AM
An electric fence has been the most effective deterent in my vegetable garden. The best orientation is at an angle facing away from the garden making it more difficult for the deer to jump the fence. In general, if the deer have something else to eat, they'll leave your garden alone. I imagine they get pretty hungry in suburbia.
Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | July 21, 2008 02:09 PM
Thank you Jennifer / PETA for educating us about deforestation!
I would give anything for enough money to move into an (already existing) home in the woods, and to see deer nibbling on flowers in my yard, I'd be in seventh heaven!
As a wildlife rehabber, I'm getting dozens more calls each year about wildlife encounters. We destroy forests, build our homes there, and where do we expect the deer to go??
If we hadn't exterminated all the wolves, there would be less deer.
How idiotic - people clear land in the forest to build a home and then.....GOD FORBID YOU MIGHT SEE A WILD ANIMAL!!
They live there, for cripe's sake! If you don't like deer, move to downtown Boston or New York City! Why would you move to the woods if you hate deer??
Save the forests = less conflicts between humans and wildlife.
Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | July 21, 2008 02:25 PM
This man is a heartless, cold, cruel, animal hater.
He cares more about flowers than he does about a living, breathing, beautiful, harmless animal. He should leave the area and go live in a big city where he can go and smell all the flowers he wants in any park. Just leave the deer, who were there first, alone!
Posted by: Rex's Mom | July 21, 2008 03:32 PM
I'd like to get a permit to shoot a few "nuisance" neighbours...
Posted by: NT | July 21, 2008 04:09 PM
The problem appears to be a mentally disturbed neighbor who is getting DGIF to do him a special favor and collude in this insanity.
A lunatic bow hunter in the trees? Sucking down six packs? How long until this hillbilly kills someone or their child or pet?
Posted by: kelly | July 21, 2008 04:32 PM
I can only hope that this Bow Hunter's arrow backfires!
But I hope it doesn't go that far. Thanks Bob, you are a good and decent man.
Peace for all animals!
Posted by: Judith | July 21, 2008 04:44 PM
Bob Barker is such a wonderful person and friend to the animals. I very much admire everything he has done, and continues to do, for them. What a wonderful, wonderful man.
Posted by: Barbara | July 21, 2008 06:48 PM
Judith: That's exactly what I was thinking. And, for anyone who wants to know, if the bowhunter DOES shoot himself, I WILL be laughing.
Posted by: Antigone1000 | July 21, 2008 07:19 PM
Bob Barker is my hero! We need more decent people like him.
Posted by: Jess | July 21, 2008 10:32 PM
Too bad for the does. I would love to live in an area where deer are right outside my back door. What a nice way to be close to nature.
Hopefully this person will have a change of heart. What else would he expect when he lives near an area where wild animals roam? He needs to be educated.
Posted by: brandie r | July 22, 2008 09:26 AM
Maybe the "neighbors" flowers should all be pulled out one night to avoid the conflict.
The issue I have is, will we ever hear of the results. I send of a lot of emails and faxes at PETA's request, but never hear how the story ended. PETA really needs to address this as when they get someone’s anger and emotions going, they also deserve resolution- good or bad.
Posted by: CB | July 22, 2008 10:43 AM
Yay Bob Barker, a true and tireless defender of animals!
This neighbor-person truly has to open their heart and let the sun shine in. Having such a cold, miserly heart will bring on cardiac arrest.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | July 22, 2008 11:52 AM
Antigone 1000, I hear you!
Laughter in the first degree!
After all, these hunters have a real blast when they go on kills. Drinking, laughing, killing, it's become the American way! If the bow backfires, its poetic justice!
And I approve this ad!
Peace and love Antigone.
Peace for all animals!
Posted by: Judith | July 22, 2008 12:33 PM
The situation has been resolved, see this great article about it all:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/19/AR2008071901577.html?hpid=news-col-blog
or use this shorter link:
http://tinyurl.com/5a7lvw
Posted by: Glen Venezio | July 22, 2008 12:45 PM
BOB BARKER- YOU ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF MAN DOING THE RIGHT THING BY OUR FELLOW SPECIES! I RESPECT YOU AND PETA! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.....
Posted by: CAROLYN | July 22, 2008 12:50 PM
So basically this neighbor thinks that he must kill something to protect his FLOWERS?
I didn't know hunters were such gardening fanatics. There goes that macho image they had...
Seriously, can we force him into a psych ward? That's where he belongs! I can't believe you can get a nuisance kill permit. I'd like to get one so that I can kill half the people I know!
Posted by: Phill | July 22, 2008 02:13 PM
Thanks for the link, Glen. The Petersons did the right thing. Somethings are more important than a few flowers.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | July 22, 2008 06:01 PM
I enjoy seeing the deer that play in my back yard every morning.....more so than the neighbor kids that throw their trash in my back yard everyday!! Can I shoot thier parents instead??
Posted by: Jamie Garrison | July 23, 2008 12:39 PM
Glen,
Thanks for the update, that is how PETA should update things. It makes no sense to get riled up 2 days after issue is resolved. (7/20/08)
Posted by: CB | July 23, 2008 12:49 PM