file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, on Wednesday, May 31, 7-8:45 pm the Ridgewood Public Library hosts a forum on deer over population .
Topics discussed will include the consequences of deer overpopulation: collisions, deforestation, chronic wasting disease in deer, Lyme disease, farming losses, and more.
Panelists share expertise in animal management, entomology, and human health.
Speakers: Dawn Cetrulo, director, Village of Ridgewood Health Department; Matthew Bickerton, entomologist, Bergen County Office of Environmental Health; Carol Tyler, animal control officer, Tyco Animal Control Services. Moderator: Pam Perron, Village of Ridgewood deputy mayor.
Co-sponsored by the Village of Ridgewood and Green Ridgewood. For more information: Larissa Brookes, 201-670-5600, ext. 137.
In New Jersey, there are several species of deer that are commonly found. The most prevalent species is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which is native to North America and is found throughout the state. White-tailed deer are adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including forests, suburban areas, and agricultural lands.
Overpopulation of deer can be a significant issue in many areas, including New Jersey. When deer populations exceed the carrying capacity of their habitat, it can lead to various ecological and social challenges. Some of the issues associated with deer overpopulation include:
- Ecological Impact: An excessive deer population can cause habitat degradation and impact native plant and animal species. Overbrowsing by deer can result in the loss of forest understory vegetation and disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem.
- Crop Damage: Deer can cause substantial damage to agricultural crops, particularly during the growing season. This can result in economic losses for farmers and impact local food production.
- Vehicle Collisions: Deer-vehicle collisions can pose a significant risk to both drivers and the deer population. As deer populations increase and expand into suburban and urban areas, the likelihood of vehicle collisions also increases.
- Lyme Disease: Deer play a role in the life cycle of black-legged ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease. Areas with high deer densities can have an increased risk of tick-borne diseases.
To address the issue of deer overpopulation, various strategies are employed, including regulated hunting seasons, sharpshooting programs, and deer contraception programs. These approaches aim to manage and stabilize deer populations at levels that are sustainable for both the ecosystem and human communities. It’s important for local authorities and wildlife management agencies to monitor and manage deer populations to minimize the negative impacts associated with overpopulation.
Birth control is not the answer as deer roam. Termination is the only sustainable solution to over population but I doubt that Village has the will to move in that direction. Deer related diseases with really bad affects will weigh heavily on the discussion. I hope those in attendance will take to heart what it is like to be infected with Lyme Disease before they determine the proper course of action.
It is also less cruel to the deer population in general to reduce to size of the heard to a sustainable level so they can live where they belong without starving or getting hit by cars.
And keep taking away their habitats with overdevelopment so they have nowhere to go but in populated areas where they get hit by cars, etc. We are part of the problem and then we complain about the results of our stupid actions.
Deer are thriving because of overdevelopment. They have a buffet on every corner and no predators.
Go for a hike in the woods and tell me how many deer you see.
Lock and Load.
You can be part of a Special Forces unit that exercises its blood-lust in the name of social responsibility. Hell, maybe you can make the cover of Soldier of Fortune mag next month—special Suburban issue.
ready to go out there i,locked and loaded in the name of social responsibilty, are ya? Don’t think you’ll have much company.
If you’re concerned about ticks, cut your grass.
This no-mo-may is a ticks paradise, as they live in tall grass.
It should be re-named ‘TLM”= Ticks Lives Matter.
Now stop the nonsense and cut your grass
Per NIH et al – Lawn mowing frequency in suburban areas has no detectable effect on Borrelia spp. vector Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30943238/
Too many people here, too. Ideas?
ready to go out there i,locked and loaded in the name of social responsibilty, are ya? Don’t think you’ll have much company.