I realize how lucky I am to have grown up in rural Maine during the pre-WWII era. In the days before “clear-cutting,” modern chainsaws and skidders, the woods were full of deer, and streams and lakes were filled with trout and salmon.

When I read “Looking Back” on Jan. 2, it stirred fond memories. The article stated the deer kill in 1905 was 24,000. We shoot approximately the same number today. With 600,000 more people living in Maine now, it makes sense we should be harvesting more than 50,000 deer.

Let me explain my reasoning.

My son-in-law owns a private hunting club in Mississippi. The deer kill in 1969 in Mississippi was 26,000. In 2006, the deer kill was more than 300,000. Mississippi brought deer from other states and planted “food plots” so the deer would have plenty to eat. Recently, it brought larger deer from Northern states. They now harvest bucks in the 175-225 pound class, which was unheard of in the 1960s and 1970s.

I suggest sporting experts take a trip to Mississippi, Texas, Alabama to get firsthand information on proper deer management.

On my daily treks to Wilson Stream in Wilton as a lad, I often caught 25 trout. The limit was 25, so I wasn’t breaking any laws. Last year, I caught two trout per day while fishing Howard Pond. Two fish is now the daily limit.

I guess that’s reason for a future letter.

Jim Eaton, Mexico

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