With the decline of predators, such as wolves and coyotes, that used to keep the deer population within certain limits, deer have increased in numbers until they cannot feed themselves in the forest alone but must forage on open rangeland in competition with cattle. Thus, in areas where forest borders on rangeland, deer hunting is an essential activity.
This argument would be most seriously weakened if it could be shown that
1. deer hunters are not concerned about the prosperity of ranchers
2. wolves and coyotes do not prey upon deer only
3. deer and cattle do not eat the same plants
4. deer hunting is popular even in areas where the forest does not border rangeland
5. the deer population may someday be hunted out of existence
OA to follow
This argument would be most seriously weakened if it could be shown that
1. deer hunters are not concerned about the prosperity of ranchers
2. wolves and coyotes do not prey upon deer only
3. deer and cattle do not eat the same plants
4. deer hunting is popular even in areas where the forest does not border rangeland
5. the deer population may someday be hunted out of existence
OA to follow
