During spring there is ample food, cool temperatures
and no rutting behavior, improving survival rates of released deer. Spring release also mitigates negative public perception of hunting pen-raised deer, resulting in greater acceptance and sustainability of the deer breeding industry. TWA also believes that breeder deer must be prop-
erly identifi able, both in the pen and upon release, for disease monitoring, ethical and human health reasons. An external, visible form of identifi cation accomplishes this. Without a visible identifi er, how will hunters who prefer not to hunt pen-raised deer for personal or ethi- cal reasons know what they are hunting? How will hunters protect themselves and others from the health risks of consuming venison containing drug residues? How will a diseased deer be traced back to the facility it came from? The hunter simply has a right to know if a deer is released or not. Legislation has been fi led in past sessions to allow
microchips implanted under the skin of a deer to be used as the sole form of identifi cation of released breeder deer. The lack of a visible form of external identifi ca- tion carries all the problems mentioned above. An ear tattoo, as is currently allowed, does not ad-
equately serve as an external, visible identifi er because they fade, become unreadable and, as a practical mat- ter, are rarely noticed by a hunter. Internal microchips are known to fail, migrate and
require a reader to locate and identify. Modern micro- chip technology includes RFID “button tags” that can be placed on the ear of a deer. These provide the same technology as an internal microchip, but also provide external, visible identifi cation. These button tags at- tach much like livestock ear tags, do not migrate and have a very low incidence of loss or failure. Requiring that the button tag remain on the deer
upon release goes a long way toward solving the need for external, visible identifi cation of breeder deer. Since hunting serves as the principle funding mecha-
nism for wildlife conservation, any practices that dam- age hunting impair sustainable wildlife conservation. It would seem that a heavy dose of common sense could resolve these issues for the greater good of all concerned. TWA has formed a reasoned stance on these issues and continues to fi ght for animal welfare, human health, protection of our hunting heritage and keeping our wildlife wild. We sincerely hope that meaningful progress can be made on these important matters.
Ranger Gate Co. “Hey, Save Your Hay”
Yoakum, Texas 800-722-1299
www.rangergate.com sales@rangergate.com
Dealer Inquiries &
Protected Territories Available
Contact Your Local Authorized Ranger Gate Dealer
Dealer to Dealer
Galvanized Hay Cradle — Available in 1 or 2 Bale Options • 1 5/8 “ 16-gauge Domestic Galvanized “Gatorshield” Tubing • 2” x 4” Galvanized Domestic 6-gauge Wire Virtually Eliminates Waste Top to Bottom • 16 Stanchion Feeder Openings • Field Testing by Cattleman Reported Better Than a 30% Hay Savings. • Easy Loading Swing Gate on Most Models. We Can Add a 2nd Gate as Needed. • All Welds “Saddled” for Added Strength. • Push It! Pull It! Move It! “Built To Last” • 4 Standard Models to Choose From
** Customized to your specifi cations!
tscra.org January 2015 The Cattleman 71
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