Overpopulation Of Deer

Without a plan, the effects to Marshland’s natural ecosystem and the farming and agricultural communities could be devastating and costly, not to mention lead to an increase in deer related vehicle collisions. The over population Of the white tailed deer has had a significant impact on the ecology of the forest and the Chesapeake Bay. Studies done by the Department of Natural Resources show that the over grazing of ground level vegetation by deer, has led to a decrease in habitat for smaller species of wildlife and affects the regeneration of Marshland’s native vegetation.

Furthermore, over grazing creases the growth of native plants and allows for exotic species to thrive and threaten Marshland’s natural ecosystem. These studies have also found that a decrease in the ground level vegetation has allowed an increase of runoff into the Chesapeake Bay, causing negative impacts on the water quality and clarity, and an increase of pollutants in the Bay. In turn, the aquatic species and plants in the Chesapeake Bay will decrease and become extinct.

Deer over population in Maryland is costing some farmers their livelihood.

It is estimated that the white tailed deer caused Marshland’s farmers an estimated “$9. 6 million in wildlife-related crop damage during 2008 and Maryland farmers spent over $600,000 on crop damage preventative measures. Marshland’s deer were responsible for 80% of that damage ($7. 6 million)” according to the (Maryland White Tailed Deer Plan for 2009-2018). This damage was caused not only to the farmer’s soybean and corn crops, but also to ornamental plants and trees raised by commercial nurseries and plantations.

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The crop damage caused by deer impacts the farmers profit margin and in turn impacts the cost to consumers.

What Causes Deer Overpopulation

The Deer Management Lana also notes that a study done by the National Park service that compared Coating Mountain Park (hunting not allowed) and the Frederick City watershed (hunting allowed during Marshland’s hunting season), showed that the Frederick City watershed had a higher concentration of seedling and sapling regeneration than the overpopulated Coating Mountain Park. If we can manage the deer population we can ensure the future Of Marshland’s forests and parks. Furthermore, the increase in construction of new homes, shopping centers and offices has reduced the farms and forest.

The increase in the deer population, added to the decrease of habitat, pushes the deer out into the communities and along the roads to seek food and shelter, causing an increase in deer-vehicle collisions. Some of these collisions are causing severe if not fatal accidents and costing millions of dollars in health care and vehicle repair cost every year. Decreasing the deer population therefore, decreases the extra health care cost and the number of collisions. According to P. E. T A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), we should let nature take its own course in managing the deer population.

There re many people and organizations like P. E. TA. That believe managing the deer population by lethal means (hunting) is not effective; that it is violent, inhumane, and a cruel way of treating animals. Paula Moore, a senior writer for the P. E. T. A. Foundation believes, “sterilization programs are a better, long- term solution to reducing deer populations; hunting just makes the problem worse”. It is believed that hunting increases the deer population; fewer deer mean more food for the remaining deer in that area, allowing for healthier more reproductive does, increasing the birth rate and survival.

It is also believed that the increased presence of hunters in the forest during hunting season drives the deer out of the forest and in turn increases the number of deer-vehicle collisions. PETA and animal activist believe nature will take care of its own, that there is no need for human involvement. These activists will always argue that hunting is a violent, inhumane and cruel way of treating animals. In counterargument, what is natural and humane about sterilization? Is that not also a cruel and inhumane invasion of humans in their habitat?

Furthermore, it is not only the hunters that push the deer from the forest during hunting season, but the rut or mating season. The rut begins in late October, or early November; this causes the bucks to chase after the does, driving the deer from the fields and forest and into the highways and by. ёsays and into traffic. It is humans that have contributed to the over population of the deer due to the deforestation of the land and a decrease in their natural habitat. Therefore, it is their responsibility to help correct this problem by having an effective deer management plan in place.