Oh Deer! We have a problem…
Our community is blessed with an abundance of wildlife. For many of us, the free ranging deer, turkey and other furry creatures were just another draw that brought us to Boling Ranch. Watching the fawns frolic in the spring and the bucks parade in the fall are annual events we all enjoy. While we accept the risks of coexisting with wildlife, it sometimes leads to tragic results.
A group of residents recently met to address and study the overabundance of deer in our neighborhood and the damage and threat they cause. Additionally, the Board hosted 2 wildlife biologists from Texas Parks and Wildlife to speak at the May 8 HOA meeting.
Many options were discussed and summarized below:
- Harvesting/hunting – Public safety issue prohibited by Parker County and Boling Ranch governing documents in a platted subdivision.
- Trap, Transport and Process – Prohibitively expensive and limitations on who can receive the processed meat. Requires permitting and third-party operations. Initial estimates are that third parties managing a TTP operation in a neighborhood would charge between $200 and $800 per deer taken.
- Drone Survey – Initial estimates for professional survey are $2,500 for set up and $1,000 for additional runs. Permits and landowner authorizations are required.
- Relocation - Deer in Texas CANNOT be relocated elsewhere. A program to do that has been discontinued, as that approach only moves our problem somewhere else.
- Curtail baiting/feeding with corn – Deer have many natural food sources in this area and will thrive on nature. Corn is not a natural occurring food in this location and will contribute to many unhealthy conditions in the herd.
- Education – Provide resources and information to help our residents protect their pets and properties.
So, what do we do? As we DO see a deer population that is getting out of control, we need to come together as neighbors to keep the problem from getting bigger. There is no quick fix – it will take years to see a difference. After reviewing all the options, the study group concluded that the BEST ALTERNATIVE is to educate and request as many concerned neighbors as possible to stop feeding the deer.
The association has no responsibility for the management of wildlife in Boling Ranch, unless we amend the governing documents to do so. The responsibility falls on each homeowner to understand how to peacefully coexist with our wildlife friends. No one can be forced to stop feeding the deer. We respectfully ask you to seriously consider stopping feeding deer, so that the local herd can move back to normal levels.
The following is provided for your information:
FAQs from our meeting with TPWD:
What is the harm in feeding corn to deer?
Corn isn’t very healthy for deer; in fact, it may harm them. Deer often go months at a time without eating corn. Most hunters and land managers don’t feed corn year-round, just around open season. Feeding corn is like handing a kid a bag of candy and letting them eat as much as they want. When a kid eats too much candy, they will get sick. When a deer eats too much corn, they will get sick. There have been studies on wild deer that have shown a significant number of deer dying from acidosis (a buildup of acid in the bloodstream) and diarrhea from overfeeding, overeating corn.
Why does corn make deer sick?
Eating a large amount of corn can cause the digestive system of a deer to fail, leading to diarrhea, bloating, and dehydration. The corn can also trigger a rapid increase in lactic acid production in the deer's rumen, which can lower the pH level and kill off microbes. This can lead to acidosis, founder, or enterotoxemia, which can be fatal.
Is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) a problem in this area?
Not in this area. You may see many sick deer and most attributed to improper diet. CWD is more prominent in Central and Hill Country areas of Texas. Most deer with CWD look normal and detection is confirmed with brain tissue samples.
Who can we contact if we have additional questions?
Local Game Wardens – Adam Alvarez (469) 797-5192 & Mathis (817) 343-8814
They patrol assigned areas, investigate violations, issue citations, and make arrests related to hunting, fishing, and other wildlife regulations. They have full law enforcement authority, like police officers, but their focus is on wildlife and natural resources.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Biologist:
Kailee Bedunah-Ott, (254) 433-0613, Kailee.Bedunah-Ott@tpwd.texas.gov
Their responsibilities and activities include:
- Researching animal populations, behavior, habitats, and interactions with other species and the environment.
- Developing and implementing strategies for managing wildlife populations, including setting hunting seasons and bag limits.
- Design and conduct studies, collect data, analyze results, and prepare reports on wildlife and their habitats.
- Working to protect and restore wildlife habitats and ecosystems.
- Offering technical expertise on wildlife and natural resources to various stakeholders, including land managers and policymakers.
Special thanks to Roger Turnham and the Deer Study committee for gathering this information and Sherry Key for compiling the linked planting guide.