A Love/Hate Relationship

With Bambi

To the Editor:

I have noticed a lot of letters to the editor this past week concerning deer... headlines like “we must” or “won’t solve the problem” or “property values.” These are all very alarming indeed, which does not contribute to “peace of mind.”

I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t like Bambi. My family likes Bambi. My friends like Bambi. Me, I have a love /hate relationship with Bambi.

I have always enjoyed the “atmosphere” that wildlife contributes to our surroundings and would not like to endanger their right to be there. (We came from a much more rural area than Newtown, over 20 years ago).

There are some exceptions:

A.  When deer will eat every bush or flower you plant unless it is “deer resistant.” My wife sprays during the summer and we have our bushes sprayed in the winter.

B.  You always have to be “very” alert when driving in the evening because of a deer encounter with your car. (I noticed five encounters this past week in The Bee.)

C.  The debate about Lyme disease. Both my wife and I have contracted it. Lyme disease can and does return. We both know.

The deer situation is of our own doings. We have almost eliminated all of their predators and we daily reduce their area to roam. We feed them.

We have produced our own problem of “overpopulation.” So what do we do about it?

Chemical castration? Who has the money for that?

Controlled hunting? I have no problem with that as long as the deer meat is consumed and laws are enforced to provide for the safety of the general public. A lot of people, including myself, enjoy deer meat. I also enjoy a good beef steak, but that’s another story as to how they are put down.

When deer are on your property they are under your protection. Unless you fence them in, when they leave they are on their own.

I will not get into a debate with someone who has decided to pick apart this letter, as I have left many opportunities to do so. This letter is only to express my feelings on the subject and I have no desire to challenge yours.

If you ever come up our driveway for a visit and see a pickup truck in the first turn around please take notice. There are hunters in the woods and they are not looking for squirrels.

Sincerely,

Fred Gruendig

6 Plumtrees Road, Newtown                                    December 9, 2008