The Deer Debate Goes On

My neighborhood has once again sounded the battle cry to kill the deer before they eat the hydrangeas.  This time they will try to do it with bow and arrow.  It is difficult to believe that grown up people, people who appear sound and reasonable would decide that bow hunting through our neighborhood would be the best solution to a slight over population of deer. Especially bow hunting that is done without notifying residences in advance of the day, hour and location of the hunt. And with no understanding of pursuing a wounded deer onto some one's back yard where their grandchildren can view the second arrow hit its mark. Dogs and children wonder through our streets with abandonment along side the wild turkey, deer and bear.   My neighborhood is marketed as a "nature preserve".  It has been for 40 years.  It is stated plainly in many places and many ways, but more assuredly the fact that you see deer calmly grazing by the road is the most obvious indication that the deer who have been born here and lived here all their lives think they are being "preserved".  When the last so called cull was organized, many residents did all they could to deter the shooting of what many of us see as a natural resource.  A asset to our community.  A plus when you are trying to sell.  Many a person has purchased a house here because a beautiful buck walked through the yard of a potential residence and took a drink from the birdbath.  Everyone is amazed at the gentleness of these wild creatures.  True they may be a little too abundant but for the same amount of money we will spend in fighting this fight, hard feelings that will be brought on, property values that may decease (even further) due to all the negative publicity, we could plant the right kinds of vegetation to feed the deer.  And if we don't do that, its not like they are fenced in.  They actually could walk right out of my neighborhood and go raid some one's farm.  If they are still here, its because they are doing somewhat OK.  It seems so many people always believe just because God said we had dominion over all other creatures that necessarily means we will always know what is best for nature, let alone man. Many a home has burned to the ground under the guise of  a"control burn", many a future wrecked to save a salamander,  many a job lost because of a horned toad. We have completely wiped out one species in order to save another.  Man rarely knows what is best for nature and more rarely does he do it.  How in the world can a race of people who care more about fashion than famine, sports than spirit, movie stars than shooting stars and drama than deer be in charge of anything in this world?   Bow season has begun.  All I can say is DUCK!