COUNTING DEER: IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL

As recently reported in the Austin-American Statesman, Plateau has been hired by the City of Austin to count the deer population in the Northwest Hills area for data analysis. For most of us who have the opportunity to see our Texas white-tailed deer on a regular basis, they are a valued part of our wildlife landscape. But with suburban sprawl, a decrease in natural population controls, and an increase in year-round food and water availability, deer herds in many suburban neighborhoods have become dangerously overpopulated. Statistics show that every year deer/vehicle collisions result in 29,000 people injured, 200 people killed, an estimated 1.5 million deer killed, and more than $1 billion in property damage. These statistics are compounded by the annually reported 13,000 cases of Lyme disease, a disease transmitted by ticks hosted by white-tailed deer. While it may seem more of a costly nuisance on an individual level, it is estimated that residential landscape damage done by deer may exceed $250 million. Excessive deer densities are also known to cause long-term damage to wildlife habitats, even completely wiping out entire native plant species. As deer populations deplete available resources, herd health declines, and deer weaken and die-off, particularly in times of drought as is common in our area.

There is no doubt that white-tailed deer are an icon of our Central Texas landscape. For any of us who have watched a majestic buck leap a barbed-wire fence, or have seen a wobbly fawn lovingly nuzzled by its mother, their emotional value can never be discounted. But contrast that scene with a dead deer and a crumpled vehicle as a result of a human mother on her way back to her suburban home after picking up her kids at school. In a perfect world of balance, these deer would be roaming an untamed Hill Country, their populations naturally controlled by predators such as wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and other natural population checks, but that is not today's suburban reality. At Plateau, we have a deep appreciation and respect for our native Texas wildlife, which is why we take deer counts and resulting recommendations very seriously. Those cities and towns that address the issue of deer overpopulation are doing what is best for all of its residents -- human and deer.

Statistics via Texas Parks and Wildlife. For more information, see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_1197.pdf.

Deer surveys, including spotlight and camera surveys are in full swing at Plateau. Are you successfully managing your deer? Hunting season is just around the corner, so please contact us today if you are interested in learning more about our deer survey services.

Article photo: The white-tailed deer is an icon of the Central Texas landscape and its numbers must be managed in the best interest of human and deer. Photo by Lee Kothman.