Goucher College has been in the news recently with its deer problem. Goucher had a previously estimated deer population of 200 and a carrying capacity of about 40. That?s according to Department of Natural Resources biologists who studied the 287-acre Towson campus.
There is less of a problem now that a privately hired bow-hunting firm removed 62 deer to reduce the population to about 138, still above the optimal 40. The project was completed from tree stands when the campus was closed to students and staff. The venison went to food banks.
“There were increasing incidents of foliage being consumed [by deer] to the detriment of other animals and birds on campus,” said Goucher media-relations director Kristen Keener.
There also have been five cases of Lyme disease and increasing car-deer collisions on campus. The removed deer gives Goucher “breathing time” to figure out a long-term solution to the continuing deer debate. It is a larger problem than this one campus, with Baltimore County having increased deer-car collisions, more crop damage and increased vexation by residents with chomped-down ornamental gardens.
The result is that deer become less like Bambi and more like vermin. What to do with them is the problem, one to be discussed in late January between the Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore County, according to county media-relations spokeswoman Ellen Kobler.
What works with deer and what is possible is a problem. We can?t bring back wolves and cougars, as much as I would like to hear a howl or see these critters now and again. The poor things would be bumpered into oblivion by road traffic. We can?t put up deer fences everywhere ? they would have to be 8-feet-plus high.
A larger bag or possession limit can?t work ? 62 percent of deer hunters only take one deer seasonally now, with less than 17 percent taking three or more. Bumping up the Region B (21 eastern counties) limit of 10 deer for firearms and bow, or unlimited in the counties surrounding Baltimore, won?t work.
We can?t hunt the suburbs, where deer are the biggest problem, since nimrods running around neighborhoods would be unsafe. There are regulations against that. Right now, we are hunting all possible areas where it can be done safely.
And no, we aren?t taking the homes from deer with our increased population and building efforts. “Maryland is developing rapidly with its increasing population. Conversion of forested and agricultural lands into housing developments improves habitat conditions for deer. Developed areas experience improved deer survival, and population increases. More deer lead to a greater number of negative interactions with suburban residents, decreasing their tolerance of deer.” So says the currently posted DNR 2006-07 deer project annual report.
Nor will transplanting work. Everywhere in the country where deer might be able to live already have all the deer they need. And highly subject to shock, deer do not survive transport well.
In various seasons, we already allow modern firearms, muzzleloaders, bow and crossbows. Adding a slingshot or blowgun season won?t do the trick. Deer contraception, with the difficulty of firing darts or getting deer to stand still for this, seems foolish.
Bells, mirrors and reflectors along roadways where deer cross, and those bumper-mounted deer whistles, are questionable at best. These and other means of deer discouragement are being studied.
The only possible solution is to extend deer seasons or perhaps extend Sunday hunting beyond that currently allowed. The problem is that while hunters are eager to get in the field during the first few days, enthusiasm wanes as a season continues. A possible solution is already in place with split seasons to allow for a “new” opening day every few weeks.
That?s currently the case with Region B bow hunting, where in the five split seasons from Sept. 15 through Jan. 31 ? a total of 20 weeks ? there are only 40 days out of season. There are 100 days in season.
Would this be a possible solution to the deer problem in Baltimore County and elsewhere? Would extended Sunday hunting, starting deer hunting in early September as we do now and extending it through February, solve the deer problem for a while? Would it reduce deer numbers if applied to firearms and muzzleloading seasons? It?s a thought.
C. Boyd Pfeiffer is an internationally known sportsman and award-winning writer on fishing, hunting and the outdoors. He can be reached at [email protected]
