RUMORS, SCHMUMORS!
SINCE I WASN'T THERE I REFUSE TO PASS JUDGEMENT. IF I WAS THERE AND WITNESSED THE ENTIRE CHAIN OF EVENTS, THAT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT STORY.
BUT I WILL SAY THIS, FENCES THAT ARE CONSTRUCTED WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ENTRAPPING WILD GAME SO THAT THEY CAN BE SHOT BY HUNTERS (REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STATUS) ARE ENTIRELY AND COMPLETELY UNETHICAL.
THAT BEING SAID, HIGH FENCES IN AND OF THEMSELVES ARE NOT AN EVIL CONCEPT. I AM FROM TEXAS, OF WHICH 98% IS PRIVATE LAND, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY HUNTING HAS BEEN ON PRIVATE LAND. I GREW UP HUNTING WHITETAILS IN EAST TEXAS WHERE A SMALL 8 POINT (BY MOST STANDARDS) IS CONSIDERED A TROPHY.
THESE DAYS I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HUNT ON AN 8000 ACRE PRIVATE HUNTING LEASE IN SOUTH TEXAS WHERE ANYTHING LESS THAN A 150 B&C MAY BE CONSIDERED A CULL. THE ENTIRE 8000 ACRES IS HIGH FENCED. SOME OF YOU MAY CONSIDER THIS UNETHICAL. CONSIDER THIS. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF 99% OF HIGH FENCES IN TEXAS ARE TO KEEP DEER OFF OF THE PROPERTY. THE REASONING BEHIND THIS IS NOT TO KEEP THE QUALITY DEER FROM ESCAPING, IT IS TO KEEP THE INFERIOR DEER FROM INTRUDING. LAND OWNERS WHO HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO SPEND TENS OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON HIGH FENCES ARE NOT GOING TO NEGLECT THE WELFARE OF THE DEER ON THEIR PROPERTY THAT THEY BUILT THE FENCES TO PROTECT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY SPEND MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR MANAGING THE HABITAT, HERD SIZE, HEALTH, AND QUALITY. SO NOT ALL HIGH FENCES ARE INHERENTLY EVIL.
ONCE AGAIN, IF THOSE GUYS HERDED THOSE DEER INTO THE CORNER OF A HIGH FENCE SO THAT THEY COULD SHOOT ONE, THEY ARE DESPICABLE AND DO NOT DESERVE TO CALL THEMSELVES HUNTERS OR SPORTSMEN.
BUT I JUST FELT THE NEED GIVE MY PERSPECTIVE ON HIGH FENCES IN GENERAL.
SORRY THIS IS SO LONG, BUT I TEND TO GET CARRIED AWAY ON SUBJECTS I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT.
GOD BLESS YOU, AND SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ABROAD.
SEMPER FI,
JOHN