The NPS is on record - ruling out disease such as EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) contributing to the deer decline. In fact, scientific studies by the University of Tennessee confirmed the deer herds fully recovered from the big EHD outbreak in the 70s; whereas the Park in a 2007 press release gave the impression that the herds did not fully recover - wrong. Here is just one of numerous contradictions. Ironically, incidental observational deer counts by several local folks has been showing consistency with the numbers for the last several years - strongly indicating that the herd is being regulated. My counts during the post rut have been showing roughly 85 to 120 deer in the Cove for the last several years. Being the Cove is "roughly" 3 square miles - this comes to about  29 to 40 deer per square mile. Interesting that the "new" trend in deer management is to regulate deer numbers to "about" 25 to 35 deer per square mile; whereas in the past, the numbers were higher until state game agencies started advocating the harvest of female deer to achieve these results. Sarcastically, when did predators achieve the ability to regulate their prey. Even if predators were taking 60% of the deer fawn population, add another 10% for other fawn mortality, equals 30% fawn recruitment; then mathematically for a non-hunted area, the Cove deer herds should increase by 30% per year. The math does not add up here. Tommy

Some folks have stressed to me that controlling excessive deer numbers/populations is biologically critical - primarily for herd health and to minimize the defoliation of native vegetation. With all due respect, I'm well aware of this biology and do support the proper management of selective harvesting to control excessive deer populations - primarily through legal "ethical" hunting. My argument with sharpshooting (in general) is that sound science and proper management is "lacking" in some cases. Since Shenandoah National Park started implementing their deer reduction program, there has been an obvious decline in the quality of big antlered bucks in comparison to the past before deer reductions were introduced - attested by experienced regional photographers. Ironically, Cades Cove no longer has the quality of big antlered bucks in comparison to the past as well - wonder why? 

Interesting how a former game warden and wildlife commissioner who was a sharpshooter stated that "sharpshooters basically do a lot of killing". This implies that sound management and selective culling is non-existent; and we wonder where all the big bucks have gone? Not only are mature bucks being targeted, older female deer are targeted in these types of programs. It is firmly believed in the industry that older females carry the good genetics for quality antler formations with male deer. I could thesis this subject well as yearling males, and two and half year old bucks coming back into the population - showing that Cades Cove fawn recruitment is working despite ALL the predators supposedly killing and consuming the deer. Yet as soon as big mature bucks come back into the population, a good portion of them vanish. Something is keeping the deer numbers stable; predators or man, or both. The population should be growing for a non-hunted area - despite predators occasionally impacting fawns and older, sick, injured deer.

Tommy

John, when I get a chance, I'll send an NPS statement of a coyote decline about a decade ago which was in conjunction with local folks and trappers seeing a reduction as well. Whether parvo or distemper hit the dogs, the population declined significantly for about 3 years. While the local yote numbers were down, the deer population continued to decline. Since the Park has attributed the Cove deer decline to predators (literally 90%) and ruling out disease; this is a biological contradiction. If predators were impacting fawns to such a high degree, we should have seen a rise in deer numbers while the yote population was down. Also, from 2004 to 2015, the turkey population exploded in the Cove. Most biologists stress that turkey poults are highly vulnerable to a host of predators and it's more likely for deer fawns to survive these predators than turkey poults. Simply, the turkey population should have been suppressed as well. If predators were effective at reducing the deer numbers; the turkey population should have been negatively impacted. Anyway, more on this later.

Have read the comments below and concur about the dwindling deer population.  We've been going through the Cove for 25+ years and would count over 100 deer in per evening.  We went through the Cove last week and saw turkeys and squirrels but did not see a single deer.  Very sad!  

Jim, If they would back off there in SNP; the genetics is still there for a rebound. Not too promising here with symmetric antlers; what few photo friendly bucks we have are too identifiable with their antlers. I confirmed another doe fawn this morning - bringing it to 8 newborns this year from Sparks Lane to the Campground. I am positive that I'm not double/recounting; I'm confirming these fawn to doe ratio sightings with just one drive thru in the morning. The deer are forced to the fields early this year due to a serious lack of hard mast with just some hickories. I might also add that coyotes were highly visible this year and abundant as well as bears; and yet, the fawn recruitment is working - go figure, since the Park continues to claim that predators are the "sole" reason for the deer decline - ruling out disease and sharpshooting. Tommy

Allow me to clarify a little here: In 2015, the Park is on record stating that predators and "possibly" the field management grass program are the reasons for the deer decline. Disease was not a factor in the 2015 statement. Although the Park has attempted to use disease like EHD as a reason for deer declines in the past (press release 2007 article on this post); all the science shows that herds quickly rebound. I refuted the Park's reasoning on this aspect with previous comments on this site. So, to date, the Park does not address disease as a factor; and continues to claim that culling is not being implemented on the Cades Cove deer herd. In 2017, the Cove deer did experience what appeared to be a light to moderate outbreak of EHD. Yet despite the loss of some deer; the fawn to doe ratio counts as well as the counts of yearling bucks & females and 2 1/2 year old bucks is quite encouraging - showing that fawn recruitment is working to increase the herd. These young deer have survived numerous predators roaming the Cove as well as the "so-called" lack of adequate nutrition for fawn fetus development. This shows whitetail adaptability amid a predator boom - a contradiction to the Park's claim that predators reduced the Cove deer herd. The herd should be steadily increasing each year to where over-population would become a concern once again. Yet ironically before the herd defoliates the vegetation and exceeds the habitat's carrying capacity, a portion of adult whitetails (male & female) just vanish overnight with no carcass remains, or any evidence of their disappearance. There are numerous photographers that can attest to the sudden overnight disappearance of whitetails - adding another mysterious smokescreen to the deer decline. There is a very similar scenario for the by gone whitetails of Catalooche on the North Carolina side of the Park; an intriguing topic down the line.

put thecattle back in and cut the hay to get purple clover and young grass back

S

Just got back from a trip to the Cades cove. I saw five deer, TOTAL. Came back to SC and I saw five deer in my back yard. Were surrounded by deer hunting clubs, and coyotes.Something elses is going on.