There are ways to get the Maine deer herd healthy again. First thing is to make predator control a priority with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, not an afterthought.

Second, stiffen the penalties for big companies cutting off deer habitat, including mandatory jail time for the person with the chain saw, right up to corporate officials. They should be in jail until the habitat grows back.

Last thing is to fire all the biologists who have helped decimate the deer herd and create a council composed of hunters, fishermen, trappers and guides to hire the replacements.

Then bring in out-of-state officials to learn how they brought back deer herds in their states and use those ideas in Maine. Some states are just as far north as Maine and now have world-class deer herds.

Ollie Emery, Mechanic Falls