how could they do this scumbags deb dahlgren

This is disgusting - hard to believe we have people in charge of things that can kill so easily.  Horrible, just horrible.

Shame on all the people that are for this kill!  How can you sleep at night.  This is just so horrible....SHAME...SHAME....SHAME 

Perhaps you'd be interested in the perspective of an animal rights protector who spent a decade as an environmental educator and who is also a resident of Cayuga Heights.  For the last fifteen years, my family has lived here on a one-acre lot adjacent to a forested stream. We’ve tried to create a wildlife-friendly habitat, reducing the amount of mowed lawn, eliminating traditional landscaping that deer like to eat, and building bird- and small-mammal-friendly brush piles.

We appreciate and are careful to protect the collection of critters that live on or visit our property, including raccoons, woodchucks, muskrats, skunks, red and grey squirrels, chipmunks, frogs, ducks, geese, crows, and many species of songbirds.  But we are powerless to protect that wildlife habitat from the destruction of foliage and undergrowth brought on by the gross overpopulation of deer.

Excess deer are also attracting other critters that are even less appropriate for a human-populated neighborhood. Less than a week ago, a red fox trotted across our backyard.  The joy and excitement of seeing it was quickly tempered by the realization that it was headed straight for the pungent deer carcass a few yards upwind of our house.  Finding easy food in a human neighborhood means that the fox is likely to return, bringing an enhanced threat of rabies and exposing this out-of-place predator to inevitable execution.

Does the deer overpopulation problem impact us directly?  Of course, in many ways.  Aside from lyme disease (a neighbor's small child got it last year) and other serious deer-related health problems, one modest example occurred just three weeks ago when a doe climbed four steps, crossed our 12-ft-wide deck, and devoured a large potted tomato plant in full bloom. This is trivial – we can buy more tomatoes - but it illustrates the unhealthy acclimation of deer to an environment that is alien to their natural existence.  The real problem is that we can’t restore natural flora in the surrounding woods that’s being eroded by the growing herds of deer.  One of those many herds traverses our yard several times a day and numbers 12-15, and if all the fawns survive, will be close to doubling itself this year).

The absence of predators and hunters in a built environment has resulted in a gross imbalance in our local ecosystem, and the deer herd must be significantly reduced for the long-term benefit of what’s left of the overall natural environment in the village.  Otherwise, the negative impacts will only continue to worsen for many other species besides humans and deer.  

Rather than making uninformed and non-scientific challenges to decisions by caring and considerate residents who have wrestled with this issue, those who are seriously interested in protecting the lives of deer in overpopulated settings should put their energies into changing the law that prohibits the most rational solution - trapping and relocating!

Deer overpopulation in this small village is a problem that has been allowed to worsen for decades and, as much as we all might prefer otherwise, it requires a decisive solution.  The Village Trustees now in office were elected on a platform that included a commitment to take that action.  They have a responsibility to their majority constituents to implement the recommendations of the exhaustive and evidence-based work of the village's Deer Remediation Advisory Committee.

Michael Meador, who comments above, describes himself as an “animal rights protector.” At the 7/20/09 meeting of the Cayuga Heights Trustees he made many of the same statements he has made here. It’s interesting to note that, while in this forum he advocates for trapping and relocating the deer of Cayuga Heights as a “humane” solution, at the July meeting he advocated for a very different approach. CayugaDeer.org’s videotape record documents him saying the following:

“The point is that there’s a gross imbalance in the local ecosystem, and that the simple, rational, and yes, humane solution is that the deer herd must be culled for the long-term benefit of the overall natural environment. Without culling, the negative impacts will only continue to worsen for many other species in addition to deer and humans.”

If we understood deer language, I wonder if we'd hear them saying that it is human interlopers who are threatening the peace, welfare and balance of nature.  

To call oneself an animal rights protector and at the same time advocate for hunting is oxymoronic. To suggest trapping and relocating in this blog but culling/killing elsewhere reeks of inconsistency. To term culling/killing "humane" means that this author is only interested in protecting the wildlife that it suits him to protect -- and even then not for their benefit, but for his own self-gratification (backyard viewing).

When an idea is right, it benefits all and harms none. Clearly culling/killing harms. If one doubts that, one need merely put himself in the target's hooves.   

signed the petition, this is appaling, culling is such a lame excuse, just another word to disguse the bloody murder, full of pain and loss to this world.

I'd like to briefly respond to Mr. Michael Meador's post, who describes himself as a "animal rights protector" and an "environmental educator".   

I'm an ex-hunter, and I have over 10 years of experience doing research on deer management.  I know and have consulted with Jay Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. and  Allen Rutberg, Ph.D., two of the leading scientists and recognized experts on deer behavior and management on numerous occasions, and have read all of their research studies.  I have friends in the Ithaca area who have kept me up to date on Cayuga Heights' deer situation, and I have reviewed the data available.  Based on the data I reviewed, the incidence of Lyme disease in Tompkins County is very low, as much as 10-20 times lower than other New York counties.  In addition, the deer vehicle accidents (DVAs) are extremely low.  In fact, the DVAs have been approximately 10 per year for the six previous years, and for the last fifteen years have been stable.  This statistic alone in lieu of a infrared aerial population survey, demonstrates a very stable deer population in Cayuga Heights.  As a result, the only real deer "problem" I can identify in Cayuga Heights is a deer browsing problem for some residents.  Unfortunately, the Cayuga Heights Deer Remediation Advisory Committee has incorrectly defined the "deer problem" as a deer population problem rather than a human/deer browsing conflict, and is recommending an ineffective solution that will not address or solve the problem. 

Deer hunting and/or culling is not an effective solution for deer browsing.  You would have to kill every deer in the community to stop deer browsing.  If you maintain 30 or 60 sterilized deer in the community these deer will continue to eat flowers and browse on shrubs.  Unless and until residents deer proof  their gardens and landscapes deer browsing will continue, as well as the complaints.  Deer proofing can be effectively implemented by educating residents to plant deer resistant plants, flowers and shrubs, and using deer repellents and fencing.  Deer proofing works and is a proven solution. 

Deer populations stabilize to their food supply.  Hunting and/or culling will only temporarily and artificially reduce a deer population.  When the deer herd is temporarily reduced, the food supply increases for the remaining deer, which results in a dramatic increase in the birth rate called compensatory reproduction.  As a result, once you start a culling operation, you will have to continue it annually ongoing forever.  In addition, killing some deer will not stop the remaining deer from continuing to browse and eat flowers.  So this is not an effective solution.  Furthermore, it's not a safe solution, but an accident waiting to happen.  It's totally irresponsible and reckless to allow the discharge of high-powered rifles in a highly populated residential community.  For example, there was a horrific incident in my state (PA) on November 20, 2004.  Casey Kantner, 18 and pregnant, was struck in the head while sitting in a car in her Allentown driveway.  The shot was traced to a hunter, who reportedly was hunting on a farm a half-mile away when he fired at a deer.  In another incident in Amherst New York, "a marksman who is taking part in the town's bait and shoot program to control deer --fired the round and that the shot ricocheted before hitting the house ... a young Amherst couple are still shaken by the thought of what could have happened." 

Mr. Meador claims that the wildlife habitat is being destroyed in Cayuga Heights from the destruction of foliage and undergrowth brought on by the "gross overpopulation of deer".  However, he provides no survey data to support a gross overpopulation of deer, and no study showing the destruction of wildlife habitat. 

Mr. Meador claims that deer present a serious threat of Lyme disease and other health problems.  His supporting data, "a neighbor's small child got it [Lyme disease] last year".  Assuming that this claim is true, you don't catch Lyme disease from deer.  Experts agree that killing deer will not significantly reduce the presence of the ticks that cause Lyme disease because ticks are carried by 31 mammals species and 49 bird species.  In one study where as many as 70 percent of the deer were removed from an island, there was "no marked reduction in the abundance of the tick" (Wilson et.al, 1988).  A recent study in New Jersey showed that after three years of a deer killing program, no reduction in Lyme disease rates or in disease-carrying tick population were found.  Even the American Lyme disease foundation has stated that it does not recommend killing deer as a way to control Lyme disease.   

Mr. Meador wrote, "We've tried to create a wildlife-friendly habitat, reducing the amount of mowed lawn, eliminating traditional landscaping that deer like to eat, and building bird and small mammal-friendly brush piles."  Seventy percent of all Lyme disease cases are caused by ticks in the nymph stage of development.  Nymphs are carried by smaller mammals and birds.  The white-footed mouse has long been identified as the primary host of the Lyme tick.  Unknowingly, Mr. Meador created an optimal understory environment for mice and the ticks to thrive .  If you want to eliminate ticks near your home you should mow your lawn regularly and reduce undergrowth.  Deer eat the undergrowth and the mice leave.  Dr. Steven E. Schutzer, an Allergy and Immunology specialist at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in NJ and other NJ researchers did a three-year study during which they staked out areas of countryside and measured the number of ticks per square foot.  Areas with thick ground cover (more than ankle-deep) averaged 23 times the tick populations of areas with a sparse or low-lying vegitation.  Another study reported the same results in the ScienceDaily article (Sep 4, 2006), Deer-free Areas May Be Haven For Ticks, Disease.  If in fact Mr. Meador's neighbor's child did get Lyme disease, it could be directly related to Mr. Meador's landscaping strategy and brush piles. 

Mr. Meador also expressed concern about other serious deer-related health problems, which I'm unaware of, but he did not specify these health problems, and so I can't respond.  Maybe he will be forthcoming with specific information, at which time I'll be happy to respond. 

But for one trivial incident, Mr. Meador doesn't complain about deer browsing.  He wrote that he eliminated traditional landscaping that deer like to eat, and so this just supports how successful deer proofing works.  His only complain is that a doe came on his back deck and ate his potted tomato plant.  He admits this is trivial.  I would recommend that he put a gate on his porch, or a protective fence around his tomato plant. 

Mr. Meador wrote, "The absence of predators and hunters in a built environment has resulted in a gross imbalance in our local eco systems, and the deer herd must be significantly reduced for the long-term benefit of what's left of the overall natural environment in the village.  Otherwise, the negative impacts will only continue to worsen for many other species besides humans and deer."  Mr. Meador's statement is based on a lack of knowledge of deer, measurable facts, and hyperbole.  Predators and hunters have little to no effect on stabilizing deer populations.  He presents absolutely no facts that show a gross imbalance in Cayuga Heights eco system, the negative effects on other wildlife species, or that deer have a causation effect in either of these unsubstantiated conditions. 

Mr. Meador's accuses other residents who oppose a culling program based on safety, effectiveness, and humane concerns of making uninformed and non-scientific challenges.  On the contrary, I reviewed their positions and found them extensively supported by referenced studies.  Unfortunately, I think Mr. Meadors is guilty of doing exactly of what he is accusing others who disagree with him.  I would welcome and invite Mr. Meadors to respond with facts that substantiates any of the claims he is making. It's difficult to debate or respond to opinions which have no supporting referenced facts or studies.  

I would also like to note that the deer population debate is understandably misunderstood by most average citizens who aren't aware of the current wildlife "game" management paradigm.  The majority of state run wildlife "game" agencies invest millions of dollars every year to propagate the deer herd.  Deer are deliberately managed for "maximum sustained yield" for the benefit of hunters.  A text titled Wildlife Ecology and Management by William Robinson states quite clearly:

  "The general theory of harvesting animals is based on the premise that when animals are not harvested at all, growth and recruitment are balanced by natural mortality and that the average growth rate of a population at its carrying capacity is zero.  Harvesting reduces the population size, but the reduction results in an increase in the growth rate of the population.  This increase in growth rate is brought about because of higher birth rates and lower death rates resulting from decreased competition for resources.  This increased growth rate provides a surplus of individuals above the number required to replace the population, and this surplus can be harvested." 

I would suggest to those who complain about the deer population, deer vehical accidents, Lyme disease, and deer browsing, that they direct their anger toward the wildlife "game" agencies who are responsible for propagating the deer herd for a small minority (single digit) of their hunter constituents.

To all the so called macho men out there:If you think you are so big & bad,before you shoot defenseless deer,why don't you give the deer each a high powered rifle & let them have the chance to defend themselves!Do you believe in god?If you did you wouldn't being killing his creatures!

no matter how it is worded MURDER IS STILL MURDER. MAN is encrouching on the sentient creatures natural habitat not the other way around. You bought your homes in areas that deer call home. YOU DID THAT, NOT THE DEER and now you complain and want to kill. YOU ARE NOT MEN! YOU ARE LOW LIFE HUMAN WANABEES. I FERVENTLY HOPE THAT EACH AND EVERY "HUMAN" THAT HUNTS THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES MEETS WITH A TOTALLY AVOIDABLE LETHAL HUNTING ACCIDENT!

The video available through the link below shows the aftermath of a bait-and-shoot deer killing operation in Rochester Hills, MI (similar to the one planned in Cayuga Heights, NY), which resulted in a total disaster: animals suffering an agonizing death, snipers shooting high powered arms just a few hundred feet away from houses and bumper to bumper traffic, putting residents' safety at risk (at least one deer-vehicle accident was caused by a scared deer jumping into traffic), pro-alternative supporters being harassed by the local authority, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ1wB0GdaXE

*** Please don't allow this to happen in Cayuga Heights! Ask family and friends to join this letter writing campaign. Your voice can make a difference! *** 

After overwhelming community outcry, the kill in Rochester Hills was halted and a residents advisory committee was created. Through analyzing the situation, doing research, talking to experts and reviewing the alternatives, the committee has voted to recommend the implementation of non-lethal alternatives for 2010.