Howard County officials are expanding this year?s managed deer hunts to save the county?s plant life.
“Our concern is the impact deer have on the natural resources in our parkland,” said Phil Norman, deer project manager at the county?s Department of Recreation and Parks.
The deer?s consumption of the brush in the county?s parks destroys the landscape, which can lead to slow forest regeneration, Norman said.
This fall marks the start of the ninth managed deer hunt season during designated mornings from September to March.
Two parks were added this year: Schooley Mill and High Ridge. The other parks to be hunted are Middle Patuxent Environmental Area and Blandair, David Force and Alpha Ridge parks.
Officials also are bringing in a skilled sharpshooter to reduce the population at the Alpha Ridge landfill and Worthington and Blandair parks.
The deer population at these parks has exceeded the ideal capacity of 15 deer per square mile, Norman said. In a survey of the land last winter, officials found an average of 75 deer per square mile.
Most Howard County residents ? about 70 percent ? support the managed hunts based on a recent survey, said Gary Arthur, director of the county?s Department of Recreation and Parks.
“People are naturally concerned about hunting and using weapons in their neighborhoods, and we want to put to rest any fears by explaining our program,” Arthur said.
Bridget Mugane, president of the Howard County Citizens Association, said the hunters are vetted for experience, and the neighborhoods are notified before the hunts.
“Not having the hunts is more hazardous [because] the deer get onto the highways,” she said. “That?s a serious safety concern.”
INFO SESSION
» What: Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks? public meeting on the deer management program
» When: 7 p.m. Sept. 5
» Where: Department?s headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia
