Whitetail Buck - 8 Point

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Two main issues are affecting whitetail deer today. First is the threat of disease. Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal disease that has no cure. Deer also face Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease. This is caused by biting flies and causes die offs in herds in wet and warm seasonal conditions. The second major issue is overpopulation. When too many deer are living in an area, trees and plants are being overgrazed leading to poor biodiversity and negatively affecting other wildlife.

To help relieve these issues, disease monitoring and the management of at risk herds are helping to reduce the spread of diseases along with working towards finding a possible cure. While many people don’t see hunters as pro wildlife, that cannot be further from the truth. Using adaptive hunting strategies like adjusting bag limits or length of hunting seasons, can lead to a thinner but healthier population. This also helps other wildlife from losing valuable habitat needed for their survival.

This beautiful 8 point Buck was found in Cades Cove in Smoky Mountains National Park. If you can ever get the chance to travel to Cades Cove, it is well worth the trip. Most people travel there for the black bears but there are tons of other wildlife there to find. Just make sure you don’t make just one loop and leave. Put in the time and make it a half day adventure and you will be rewarded.

By bringing this print into your home, you aren't just owning a moment of nature's resilience, you are actively protecting it, with 5% of your purchase going directly to the National Wildlife Federation.