A Pest Is A Pest Is A Pest

To the Editor:

I am constantly amazed by our weak stomachs when it comes to pest control. When that pest is a rat, spider, fly, or mosquito, people have few objections to population control by whatever means necessary. But when pests have four legs, a nice furry coat and soulful eyes, we seem to lose our objectivity.

I am talking about deer.... specifically last week’s opinion letter regarding deer management [“Town Should Exercise Caution In Deer Management Program”], in which the writer states that “the simple models of deer reduction simply do not work.”

Strange. That writer is a member of the Newtown Tick-Borne Disease Action Committee (NTBDAC) and she co-authored their report last October, which says exactly the opposite — citing at least ten examples of evidence to the contrary (space limits prevent me from quoting them all here, but it is a public document and a fascinating read).

That two-year project culminated in a 200-page report that cites dozens of credible sources, studies and statistics, and while opinions differ on methods and effectiveness, most experts agree that lethal management is the most efficient way to correct deer overpopulation and all the problems that it creates.

The majority of the NTBDAC voted in favor of all forms of deer reduction, and Pat Llodra has wisely expressed Newtown’s goal of 10–12 deer per square mile. At that level, studies show that there are virtually no reports of tick-borne disease, deer-auto accidents, and environmental destruction. Further, experts agree that sharpshooters are the most efficient method to reach this goal.

Well, we all love Bambi and perhaps some of us are having second thoughts — lethal management is bloody stuff indeed. But with overabundance a known fact, strong stomachs must prevail!

Newtown deer have increased to ten times the recommended levels of 10–12 per square mile (CT DEP 2011 survey counted 105 per square mile in Newtown, up from 69 in 2009). Every one of those deer is able to host hundreds of adult ticks, and every adult female tick can lay 2,000–3,000 eggs. Healthy deer herds can double their size every three to five years. The reality of the math is staggering. Even if we started now, it would take two to five years to bring the numbers of deer down to healthy levels.

Food pantries and soup kitchens are struggling to feed our poorest citizens, and here is a huge, lean, free-range protein-rich source of food, lest readers think that the venison goes to waste. Note: deer are immune to Lyme disease, so this venison is safe to eat.

Let us listen to our scientists. Let us fight the Bambi effect. Let us be wise enough to prioritize the health and welfare of our human residents over that of our black-legged ticks and soulful-eyed does. A pest is a pest is a pest.

Here are some interesting articles: www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Animals/Archives/2010/Deer-in-Rock-Creek-Park.aspx; www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/infectious_diseases/lyme/anevaluationofdeermanagementoptions.pdf.

Kaia Fahrenholz

Aunt Park Lane, Newtown                                        February 1, 2012