What are some of the problems caused by deer?
• Road safety: An average of 4,000 to 5,000 deer-vehicle collisions in the county each year. • Wildlife habitat destruction: Over-abundance of deer results in depleted food and natural habitat for birds, amphibians and micro-organisms that are necessary to sustain County wildlife and the natural environment. • Forest regeneration: Too many deer result in a lack of understory plant life. Plants most vulnerable include young oaks, maples and poplar trees. • Ornamental plant damage: Deer diet includes many types of non-native vegetation found in parks and neighborhoods, such as azaleas, hostas and daylilies. The cost of this damage is of great concern to residents and taxpayers. • Deer health: Too many deer living too close together reduces the overall health of the county’s deer population. Deer compete with each other for food and space. • Human health: Too many deer may increase human risk of exposure to ticks infected with Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Deer may transport
