How Is Your Deer Population ?

[Rose]

I've pulled two deer ticks off my Golden since we had our first killing frost. I've found it's best to be prudent through November.

[Grant]

You want to see a deer problem? Come on down to PA, and I'll show you. We have the worst deer issues in the nation -- bar none. I see a minimum of eight to ten deer a day during my commute through suburban Philadelphia -- and often upwards of 20 or more -- ALL DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO ROADS. Down here, they are as common as squirrels, and HUNDREDS live within the city limits of Philadelphia. And now that we are at the peak of the annual rut, they are hormone-charged, and even more oblivious than usual to the dangers posed by roads.

The problem is entirely man-made, and solutions are man-inhibited. Suburban sprawl has cornered the deer populations in small and small patches of woods and into the larger state parks. With the changing demographics in the townships comes the inevitable changes in hunting regulations (people in McMansions don't want hunters killing Bambi in their back yards, but they also don't want Bambi and his 300 relatives munchin on their ornamental shrubs, either!).

We've had a problem in Fairmount Park down here for years. Finally, after much hand-wringing and legal wrangling, the decision was made to stage a "controlled hunt," in which marksmen were hired to thin the herd (which was estimated to be MANY times larger than the park could sustain). Of course, the PETA crowd shows up, and attempts to thwart the hunt. They do it everywhere around here. Idiots -- they'd rather see the deer get picked off by SUVs or starve due to lack of vegetation.

We also have a HUGE deer tick problem down here (and, hence, a lyme disease problem as well). Found one in my truck the other day after running my dog in the park (another park LOADED with white tails -- I think we saw ten to twelve on our 3-mile run).

Historic Valley Forge park, about a half hour from here, has herds that are beyond description. You can drive through the park at rush hour and see -- no kidding -- hundreds of grazing deer. Groups of 20-30-40-50 EVERYWHERE...every day. And there is NO WAY to control the population. Can't hunt them...can't relocate them. Unreal.

And don't get me started on our Canada Goose problem. Let's just say that if you ever seen one in Winnipesaukee, chase it off, scare it, whatever. I would say "kill the damn thing immediately," but that would not be PC. Nearly all of our local lakes and reservoirs down here in SE PA have been rendered un-swimmable by goose dookie. They thrive on business campuses, golf courses, parks, farms -- everywhere! Again, they are ubiquitous and prolific -- reproducing at alarming rates, and there is no "legal" way to control them.

Sorry for the long rant.

[glennsteely]

Grant, I have been waiting for a response like that. I am suprised that more people arent p.o.'d about the number of deer in our area. I saw a pack of about 10 this morning on Almonessin road in Deptford on the way to work. I got a call at ten o'clock last night that my neice hit one on rt. 206 in Shamong twp. It is insane. My brother and I bought a house in the Poconos last fall, Arrowhead lakes, and rt. 80 up there is a killing zone. On our way to Home Depot in Stroudsburg last year, I am telling you, we saw 50 dead deer on the highway in 15 miles of driving. Just about every weekend we are going north, and see them all the way up, the whole trip. From the start of the northeast extention to our front door. Even in our developement, in the Poconos, it is not uncommon to see 10 or 12 in our front yard, 3 or 4 times a day ! I am very suprised about the growing number of them in New Jersey. When I was a kid, it was a treat to see a deer while riding in a car, now, my two year old points them out to me. "Look Dada, DEEEEEEER!" It is scary.

[T.H.E. Binz]

You don't know how lucky you are in the Lakes Region (except for Long Island) - deer are considered one step above rats here in southeast Pennsylvania. My township is conducting a special hunt in a few weeks in which the state game regulators are waiving all the rules - you can get permission to shoot in your backyard or your neighbor's backyard (well, not really, there are some limitations)

You won't find anyone who hasn't hit a deer with their car around here. The insurance companies are even conducting sterilization research projects in an effort to reduce the deer population. You can forgot having a vegetable garden or shrubbery unless you erect a nine-foot fence.

We have tried all the home remedies like diesel fuel on wood, dogs, commercial repellent - if it's a harsh winter these critters will eat just about anything!