Fed-Up Suburbanites Ponder Deer Hunts

The Washington Post ^ | Nov 29, 2003 | Elizabeth Williamson

[neverdem]

Fed-Up Suburbanites Ponder Deer Hunts Sprawl Fosters Increase in Animals By Elizabeth Williamson Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, November 29, 2003; Page B01

For five years, Molly Turkewitz has waged war against deer in her Montgomery County neighborhood.

The Brookeville teaching assistant has planted strong-smelling deodorant soap in trees and laced the soil with human hair and blood-meal fertilizer. She has shrouded shrubs in nylon netting and swathed tree trunks with sheets of plastic. But nothing has chased the deer from her back yard, where they have nibbled the bushes into poodle-size topiary.

"When we moved in, I loved deer," said Turkewitz, 46. "I do not feel that way anymore."

Would she bring in the big guns, inviting a few hunters into her neighborhood?

Turkewitz paused. "Um . . . that's hard. I don't know how it could be accomplished safely."

That sound you hear is the opening of deer season today for Maryland firearm hunters, accompanied by the agonizing of suburbanites, who live closer to their white-tailed neighbors than ever before.

[neverdem]

IMHO, there will be more venison for the homeless.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Only time I ever hit a deer was when I lived about 7 miles from this lady.

[netmilsmom]

People don't seem to understand that since we killed off or drove away the natural preditors of the deer, it is our responsibility to thin the herds.

Besides, a nice venison steak, marinated in red wine and Italian dressing on the grill is heaven!

[Jaded]

They have stats for deer killed but not people in car/deer encounters. What's wrong with that pic?

[bullseye1911]

People don't seem to understand that since we killed off or drove away the natural preditors of the deer, it is our responsibility to thin the herds.

Greetings, fellow Michigander! Actually, deer (at least in Michigan) still have several preditors yet. Coyote, wolf, dogs (yes fluffy, when he runs off to join a pack of buddies for a couple of hours), cougars (yes there are some, but the DNR denies), and of course, me! This year; a 4 point and a 7. The continuing mild winters haven't helped, I had a doe with triplets and another with twins on my place all summer.They just reproduce so fast!Regards.

[Pedantic_Lady]

Deer here don't really like conifers. A colleague of mine at work had a problem with deer until her conifer hedge matured. Now they can't get in, and for some reason they loathe the smell and taste of the conifers she planted.

[Pontiac]

"Um . . . that's hard. I don't know how it could be accomplished safely."

When she has a big buck in rut crash through her patio doors because he thinks his own reflection is a sexual rival she may rethink her safety concerns.

[Blueflag]

I deal with non-migratory Canada Geese. It's like having 75 dogs with diarrhea in my yard when they come ashore. Such a foul mess.

And a protected mess.

[1Old Pro]

Why not allow hunters to take more deer? Why not encourage this and then people in the private sector good cut the meat and sell it. Sheesh, they could make thousands just making deer jerky and selling it.

[billhilly]

No Lynx or Bobcats?

[bullseye1911]

Deer here don't really like conifers

Excuse me? deer feed on cedar all winter here in Michigan. Isn't that a conifer? North of about Gaylord, you will see what's termed a "browse line" that's how high the deer can reach cedar trees.

[liberty or death]

My Mother thought hunters were mean,cruel and downright evil to be killing the innocent little deer.
That was until they ate all her expensive plants and then she called my brother and said "kill them all".
Is she a liberal? Yes.

[Pedantic_Lady]

Excuse me?

Why are you asking me to excuse you? Did you fart or something?

deer feed on cedar all winter here in Michigan. Isn't that a conifer? North of about Gaylord, you will see what's termed a "browse line" that's how high the deer can reach cedar trees.

Obviously you didn't check my bio. I live in England. Different deer, different trees. Excuse the f*** out of me for even speaking.

[Snuffington]

Suburban hunts could be FUN! I'm picturing it now...

*BANG*

(Panicky woman comes running from her house) Oh my God! Someone just blew away my prized garden gnome!

(Disappointed hunter strides up) Sorry Mrs. Jones... looked like a deer from my stand in your gazebo. Maybe you should've painted it orange.

[holdmuhbeer]

Um . . . that's hard. I don't know how it could be accomplished safely

Its called bow season missy

[bullseye1911]

No Lynx or Bobcats?

Yes to bobcats, but they generally scavage deer carcasses. bobcat average 20-30 lbs. They can pull down a very young fawn though.

[ThinkLikeWaterAndReeds]

I live in rural Oregon and have had deer in abundance on my property since moving here. Two years ago I transformed our yard surrounding the house into an herb garden. Since then, the deer have stayed in the forest. They really dislike herbs.

[Inspectorette]

Besides, a nice venison steak, marinated in red wine and Italian dressing on the grill is heaven!

That sounds great! My dear departed Dad was an avid deer hunter when I was growing up back in New England. I never liked eating the venison steak or roasts - didn't like the "gamey" smell. I did like the ground venison made into meatballs and simmered for hours in spaghetti sauce.

Now I see your great recipe for the steak, unfortunately, I can't get deer meat anymore. Where I work, there are deer all over the place, but it's Govt. property!

[bullseye1911]

Obviously you didn't check my bio. I live in England. Different deer, different trees. Excuse the f*** out of me for even speaking.

My apologies, (for living in England) Does someone need a nap? What would you like me to excuse, your pissy attitude?

[ArrogantBustard]

Why not allow hunters to take more deer?

The problem is of location, as well as numbers. MontCo is fairly densely populated, with small-medium size parks amongst the residential areas. Rifle hunting is out of the question, for safety reasons. Bow hunting has, so far, been resisted on account of rampant bambiism. When the leftist goo-goos in MontCo finally get fed up with bambi eating their roses, they bow hunters will be invited in. From Howard & Frederick Counties.