In response to the Nov. 24 article on the deer herd being down: My wife and I have hunted and fished in Maine for more than 60 years. It’s true winter takes a toll on the deer herd. It has done so for many years. The herd has always bounded back big and healthy. When we were younger, it was easy to go out and count anywhere from 10 to 20 in most any field or crossing the road. Not anymore.

We fished the brooks up north, and we would have to wait for the moose to leave the brook so we could pass. Then the moose hunt was opened, and we noticed we were seeing fewer moose each year. The last time we fished the brooks we counted two moose. Could the moose be overhunted?

The state gets $330 million in retail sales for business and $130 million in wages and salaries and more than $27 million in tax revenue. Do you think with the chance of losing that much revenue the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is telling us the truth about overhunting and urban sprawl?

I think the governor should check with the old-time hunters and trappers who know what really is wrong and not rely on the DIF&W and the so-called biologists.

Maybe, in my opinion, to bring the deer herd back, restrict hunting for two years. This will never happen due to the loss of revenue. The state should not be exploiting the deer and moose for revenue.

Richard Turner

Orono