LETHAL AND NON-LETHAL METHODS
All over the country urban and suburban communities are forced to live with violent methods of deer control which are opposed by most of their residents. This is the source of much unnecessary conflict. There are non-lethal methods that could be used to reduce deer populations or otherwise reduce human/deer conflict. The advantages and successes of these methods are not often well publicized because the official agencies, who generally favor lethal approaches, have the authority and access to the press. Here we attempt to present the other side of the picture.
Attacking the conflicts directly
Is it really a deer population problem? The first consideration is whether there is any necessity to reduce the deer population. In the case of Rock Creek Park, the problem the Park cites as requiring them to shoot deer is actually the result of a long term invasion of exotic plants which are destroying the Park's ecosystem. The Park recognized this problem nearly 20 years ago, but after a decade of declaring it the top priority for RCP, NPS suddenly changed its focus to killing deer. There is strong evidence that the exotic plants, not the native deer are actually doing the harm.
In the neighborhoods surrounding Rock Creek Park and in many communities across the country, other issues concern local residints. These include deer/vehicle collisions, destruction of garden plants on private property, and Lyme disease. There are effective methods of dealing with the first two and deer have little or nothing to do with the third.
Humane methods of Population Reduction
If and when it is necessary to reduce the deer population, there are effective humane means of doing so, such as contraceptive vaccines and minimally invasive surgical sterilization.
Next Contraceptive vaccines
Attacking the conflicts directly
Is it really a deer population problem? The first consideration is whether there is any necessity to reduce the deer population. In the case of Rock Creek Park, the problem the Park cites as requiring them to shoot deer is actually the result of a long term invasion of exotic plants which are destroying the Park's ecosystem. The Park recognized this problem nearly 20 years ago, but after a decade of declaring it the top priority for RCP, NPS suddenly changed its focus to killing deer. There is strong evidence that the exotic plants, not the native deer are actually doing the harm.
In the neighborhoods surrounding Rock Creek Park and in many communities across the country, other issues concern local residints. These include deer/vehicle collisions, destruction of garden plants on private property, and Lyme disease. There are effective methods of dealing with the first two and deer have little or nothing to do with the third.
Humane methods of Population Reduction
If and when it is necessary to reduce the deer population, there are effective humane means of doing so, such as contraceptive vaccines and minimally invasive surgical sterilization.
Next Contraceptive vaccines
Coming Soon!
Surgical Sterilization
Other non-lethal options
Lethal methods: hunting, sharpshooting history, why chosen, problems
Surgical Sterilization
Other non-lethal options
Lethal methods: hunting, sharpshooting history, why chosen, problems
