[Andy A.]

Cougers (or pumas, or mountin lions, depending on your prefrence) and wolves were the main preditors of deer in the north east. Both are more or less gone from the region now, although cougers may or may not be making a come back- it's difficult to get an accurate count of them. Every now and then they are sited by hikers (who then turn tail and run away as fast as they can!). Wolf reintreduction programs are working well out west, although sheep and cow herders are once again calling for wolf hunting. After all this time people still don't get it...

Coyotes have been known to take down deer in my area, although I don't know nearly as much about them or their numbers now. I do hear them from time to time, so I have to assume they aren't as bad off as the wolves.

Bears rarely take deer- they arn't really subtle hunters. Most bear stick to fish, carrion and what ever plants they can find. Polar bears are the big exception- They go after seal and the like (not penguins!). Ever seen one of those things leap? It's incredible how powerful they are.

Suffice to say, hunting in New England is a nessicary 'evil'. Not only for deer, but for moose (wolves are the only real natural preditor of moose). I'm not a fan of it, but the alternitivs are worse. The long term solution is to reintroduce natural preditors and learn to live along side them. But, hunting is a big industry, and livestock owners arn't usally happy to hear about wolves being let loose around their area.

I guess I just have to get used to never being able to walk in the woods during hunting season.

-Andy A.