The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-03-12

It's increase Of deer within the per
iod OF my observation and remem-
1rauee, and | have arrived at the
Jnalusion. forming an established
opinion, based upon this study and
1bs rYatioon. with knowledge that
have gathered from early history
and traditions concerning deer and
knowledge OF the existing primitive
ao.4ditions favorable or wanting foi
the existence OF deer and with the
proof of their numbers to-day, that
here are NOR deer in the state al
the present time, and that they oc-
cupy wider and more diversified
distribution throughout the State
than was possible for ylch numbers
TO exist at any time since the first
occupation or knowledge of the land
by civilized man, and | do not attri-
butte this marvellous increase OF
deer in Vermont TO legislative enact
ments or the vigorous enforcement
OF those acts Of law made for the
protection and increase Of deer only
to a very limited measure of credit
hat Is due for the assistance instfils
direction, but that the cause Is due
from changes that have been
brought about with changed organic
conditions which have made things
favorable for the existence and in
crease of deer with substance to
support this deer life, produced by
the deforestation of the original
coniferous growth, which prevailed,
followed by the spontaneous refor-
estation In the nature of deciduons
growth which provided food in
abundance, as well as the protection
for eluding and seclusion from its
common enemies.
In its pristine state, before, or at
the time of the settlements Of the
New Hampshire Grants, and the
clearing off tie land | have well
founded reasons for believing that
in that territory now comprising the
stage of Vermont, this section OF
country did not afford the natural
resources and requirements for the
maintenance OF any considerable
numbers OF the deer family ana
what there were existed along the
valley streams or uplands immediate
Nv contiguous to those streams, ane
these grounds were in greater part
what was possessed and cleared vi
by the early settlers and converted
to cultivation consequently the fe"
surviving deer, after the first nee
essary shooting al" by the early
settlers. were forced back into the
highlands, Of spruce. hemlock, and
balsam, where conditions were not
congenial or sufficient for their
existence, d therefore they per-
ished or continued to exist in such
numbers proportionate to the pro-
visions which their confined environ
ment provided. pursued aud harrass-
ed and killed by wolves, Speaking
in the sportsmans parlance Of Ian
guage, Vermont ia is early days.
known 10 man. was more OF a wolf
country than a deer country, and
from these facts reason, is why
all the people who we're old people.
with life long residence IN Yer
mont. used TO tell me when ! was
a boy that they had never seen a
Wild deer.
But time flows on. aud things
and conditions change with the pass
liz of tina. 10. about 1865 came the
wholesale devastation of this print.
tive. coniferous and large forest
this intensive "big business
Of lumber and charcoal industry !
50 that by the time (some iwslYe
yeaus later those public spirited
gentlemen from Manchester and Ru..
laud came forward with their contri-
button Of deer to aid in restocking
this region with that animal The
conditions had become ripe for their
effort to bear fruit and the zeal Of
the lumber and coai interests con
tinaea. expanding those conditions.