hunting and $.70 per acre for livestock interests. The rancher leased the hunting rights for $3.50 per acre with little overhead for that aspect of the ranching profi t and loss statement. In the past 40 years, the intensity of deer manage-
ment has increased dramatically. The number of high- fenced ranches has blossomed to protect the results of private landowners’ management efforts. Young bucks were shielded from early-age harvest,
buck to doe ratios were improved, and better age struc- tures and habitat enhancements were maintained on the property where the resource investments were made. Large ranches have been fragmented by generational
shifts in lifestyles, and new landowners have seen high fencing as a tool to enhance real estate values. The development of intensive hands-on deer management practices, like TTT permits, DMP permits, and deer breeder permits, have further increased the economic impact of deer hunting in Texas — big money, big busi- ness, big controversies. The population of Texas has grown more rapidly
in the past 10 years than has any other state, and it is projected to double by 2050. Petroleum exploration has also expanded rapidly
in Texas. The loss of large blocks of undisturbed deer habitat in the South Texas brush country, associated with the Eagle Ford shale exploration, is only just be- ginning to become evident. While it is obvious that rural land, and thus wildlife
habitat, will continue to decrease, that is not the biggest challenge to deer hunting. The biggest challenge will most likely be the ever increasing disconnect between young urban dwellers and rural agriculture. By 2050, most Texans won’t be native Texans, and
they will be 3 to 4 generations removed from any ranch- ing or farm experiences. They will have little loyalty to the private property rights of rural Texas that we so cherish. Animal rights advocates, vegans and anti-animal
agriculture zealots will be more easily able to con- vince some of their urban legislators that rural values no longer have a place in our society. These forces can only succeed, however, if the rest of the urban dwell- ers become apathetic to the importance of agriculture, ranching and hunting as an important element in wild- life management. The fl ame of apathy is kindled by those of us with varied interests in rural Texas and wildlife manage-
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November 2014 The Cattleman 77
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