Here's the complete editorial
I have the right person to respond, with the facts.
Several people should respond to this one.
CL: GUEST COLUMN
BY: Laurie Crawford Stone
TX: It is no surprise most of the Cedar Rapids Urban Deer Task Force wants to kill deer. This
result has been carefully orchestrated via selection of task force members, a process designed
to exclude other management options, and agendas focused on killing.
Those hoping killing will put a stop to deer eating their plants are going to be sorely
disappointed. Rabbits eat plants, too. The only way to stop browse is protect plants with
repellents, netting and fencing.
Killing or crippling random deer does nothing to stop surviving deer from eating the same
flowers or crossing the same roads. Killing does not reduce populations in the long term.
Removing some deer means more food for remaining deer. More food means does have larger
litters and litters at a younger age. Populations, left alone, self regulate. Killing leads to
more killing as deer numbers increase following a fall kill. Killing is costly, causes safety
problems and pits neighbor against neighbor.
The invitation to serve on the 2005 task force stated the group would be ``bringing forward
and promoting the findings and recommendations generated from the '98-'99 report.''
The 1998 deer task force recommended non-lethal methods and monitoring Iowa City's
sharpshooting program. That task force had different members, a democratic process, thoroughly
researched and discussed all options.
The recommendations … never given a chance to work … included data collection, educational
and safety measures. The report recommended against bowhunting, saying: ``the 1997 bowhunt
killed a small number of deer and was controversial.''
No form of hunting is more inaccurate and vicious than bowhunting. Hunters cannot kill a
deer instantly with a bow. Even a well-hit deer bleeds to death.
Nine of 10 archers cannot put four consecutive arrows in the 9-inch bull of a 35-yard
target. On average, 21 shots are made for every deer killed. Factors working against the
archer are: arrow curved trajectory and deer reacting to the bow string.
Bowhunters average a 50 percent crippling rate. For every deer killed, another is wounded,
left unretrieved to suffer for hours or weeks before they die. Proficient archers are the
primary problem. They are more apt to hit and wound a deer than the inexperienced archer who
misses altogether.
Bowhunting pits neighbor against neighbor. If your neighbors allows bowhunters on their
land or you live near city property allowing hunters, an errant arrow may hit your child, cat,
dog or house. There is a good chance you or your children will see dead or dying deer in your
yard.
It is irresponsible to allow hunting in a high-density urban area. Hunting is likely to
increase deer/vehicle accidents in Cedar Rapids as frightened deer run onto roadways.
Hunting results in accidents. From 2001 to 2004 in Iowa, there were three fatal and 60
non-fatal hunting accidents.
This is an ill-conceived, knee-jerk reaction to deer/human conflict issues. If the issue is
browse and accidents, the 1998 task force made solid recommendation that should be
implemented.
If the issue is ``too many deer,'' we need to realize the subjectivity of that complaint
and look at facts. People are seeing more deer because developers are taking more deer
habitat, forcing deer to live in smaller areas. The 2005 Cedar Rapids deer count was virtually
the same as in 2000.
I am seeing fewer, thinner, smaller deer and a dramatic decrease in numbers of fawns this
year. Perhaps Cedar Rapids deer are self regulating. Wouldn't it be a shame to upset the
natural balance by killing?
That we would solve a subjective complaint with a controversial decision like bowhunting is
irresponsible at best. It makes one wonder who is benefiting and how?
If, as defenders of bowhunting claim, the essence of sport hunting is the wilderness
experience and the thrill of the chase, rather than the simple pleasure of killing animals,
urban deer population control does not apply.
I urge the City Council to review the entire 11-page 1998 task force report and implement
the recommendations. Let's keep bowhunting out of our city.
Laurie Crawford Stone of Cedar Rapids is an attorney and served on the 1998 and 2005 deer
task forces.
/tx
TY: EDITORIAL
