The headline says it all. Really, how could a theft class help the deer population?

Well, a thief stole equipment and the theft is threatening the continuation of a remote white cedar plantation designed to improve deer habitat in Minnesota. 

Stolen were solar panels, a wiring harness, and battery, used to create an electric barrier to deer and protect a northern white cedar planting experiment that began in 1997 as a partnership with the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association. The truly sad thing is that the deer could be so affected and the equipment was valued at only $1,000.

The thief parked his vehicle on the highway and drove by ATV to the fenced area, and used a homemade apparatus to disarm it and gain access to the equipment.

The reason it affects the deer so greatly is that the seedlings are not a size where they will survive without continued protection. This is the second equipment theft at the location, and with a remote site, relatively easy access, and limited security options, it could continue. It’s too bad one individual has to ruin a project that involved the hard work of so many people – including the MDHA volunteers whose fundraising efforts provided $7,500 for the initial project costs.

Northern white cedar is a preferred deer thermal cover species, that once harvested, has a low rate of regeneration due to germination failures, unsuitable microclimates for seedlings, and excessive animal herbivory (over-browsing by deer, snowshoe hares, mice, etc.). It was hoped that by prohibiting deer herbivory, the cedars could be regenerated and improve the winter habitat for the deer population and other wildlife. The initial total project cost of $13,422 was funded in partnership with the MDHA, with DNR wildlife staff providing ongoing maintenance. 

Theft really does cost everyone. A top theft class could keep this nuisance from stealing something of so little monetary value that has a much more significant impact on the environment.

Souce: International Falls Journal