2008 Woodie Awards
Oxford Deer Project addresses problems, concerns of residents
Roger Sauerhaft
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Community
Mark Boardman, director of the IES, said that the results of the survey so far did not turn out how he expected.
"(I was) surprised that an awful lot of people thought this wasn't a problem," Boardman said. "Most people who did feel it was a problem liked seeing deer but felt their problems needed to be fixed."
Moss said less than half of those surveyed so far reported damage from the deer.
"Approximately 40 percent of people surveyed showed no damage at all," she said.
Dana, an Oxford resident, stressed the uneasy relationship carried on between humans and deer in the Oxford area and cited certain examples.
"The deer here are all over the suburbs," Dana said. "They eat everyone's plants, both ornamental and garden."
Dana also cites more serious happenings as a result of the deer population.
"Car accidents and fatalities involving deer have escalated," Dana said. "They also have been part of two accidents on campus at Miami. Either last year or the year before a deer jumped through a window at Shriver (Center). A deer also jumped through a window at Upham (Hall), and in both cases the deer had to be shot because of glass wounds."
Crist also explained other reasons contributing to the deer problem.
"New land practices also have contributed to the problem, as well as development," he said. "Farmers using riparian buffers (areas of woods planted by farmers between the crop land and sources of water, to catch the runoff pollution from contaminating the water) to make the land more attractive for deer. Also, remember that suburban areas are often built into wooden areas."
One possible solution to the increase in deer population; according to Crist, with whom the IES consulted early on in their process; includes hunting.
"(There could be) more hunting, which has some effect, but isn't too efficient unless you remove the does," Crist said.
Crist did, however, emphasize further complications regarding this possible solution.
"This (increased hunting) can't be used in suburban areas, where the problems mostly are," Crist said.
Monica Rakovan, interim deputy director of the IES, hypothesized her own reasons for the growing population.
"A reason for the escalating numbers might be a decease of hunters," Rakovan said.
Despite Boardman's reaction to the survey results, he believes that through education regarding safety tips about deer problems, Oxford can fix the problems of deer interactions with humans, such as motor vehicle accidents and vegetation damage, while also preserving the deer population.
Other recommendations involve promoting highway safety and driver awareness through deer crossing signs and clearing away the vegetation on roadways.
"(I was) surprised that an awful lot of people thought this wasn't a problem," Boardman said. "Most people who did feel it was a problem liked seeing deer but felt their problems needed to be fixed."
Moss said less than half of those surveyed so far reported damage from the deer.
"Approximately 40 percent of people surveyed showed no damage at all," she said.
Dana, an Oxford resident, stressed the uneasy relationship carried on between humans and deer in the Oxford area and cited certain examples.
"The deer here are all over the suburbs," Dana said. "They eat everyone's plants, both ornamental and garden."
Dana also cites more serious happenings as a result of the deer population.
"Car accidents and fatalities involving deer have escalated," Dana said. "They also have been part of two accidents on campus at Miami. Either last year or the year before a deer jumped through a window at Shriver (Center). A deer also jumped through a window at Upham (Hall), and in both cases the deer had to be shot because of glass wounds."
Crist also explained other reasons contributing to the deer problem.
"New land practices also have contributed to the problem, as well as development," he said. "Farmers using riparian buffers (areas of woods planted by farmers between the crop land and sources of water, to catch the runoff pollution from contaminating the water) to make the land more attractive for deer. Also, remember that suburban areas are often built into wooden areas."
One possible solution to the increase in deer population; according to Crist, with whom the IES consulted early on in their process; includes hunting.
"(There could be) more hunting, which has some effect, but isn't too efficient unless you remove the does," Crist said.
Crist did, however, emphasize further complications regarding this possible solution.
"This (increased hunting) can't be used in suburban areas, where the problems mostly are," Crist said.
Monica Rakovan, interim deputy director of the IES, hypothesized her own reasons for the growing population.
"A reason for the escalating numbers might be a decease of hunters," Rakovan said.
Despite Boardman's reaction to the survey results, he believes that through education regarding safety tips about deer problems, Oxford can fix the problems of deer interactions with humans, such as motor vehicle accidents and vegetation damage, while also preserving the deer population.
Other recommendations involve promoting highway safety and driver awareness through deer crossing signs and clearing away the vegetation on roadways.
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