Wild Animal Control Amendment Repealed

"I am against an ordinance where there is no compelling interest involved, such as environment or safety issues, and believe an ordinance of this type should not be enacted.

Debbie Canady had a telephone conversation with Danny Ray, a District 7 Biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in the Division of Wildlife Management, regarding aspects affecting white tail deer in a residential community. And, I also went back and listened to the meeting of October 2009, when Christopher Kreh, also a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, came and spoke to the Council about our deer population, and urban hunting.

Along with what I heard from the October meeting and insights provided by Mr. Ray, I'd like to make some points regarding our deer and our community.

Mr. Kreh mentioned that it doesn't seem that we have an overpopulation problem due to our approximately 6000 acres of forest. And, Mr. Ray mentioned that a study would have to be conducted to determine if there is an overpopulation of deer. Therefore, I'd like to know how the determination has been made that Beech Mountain has an overpopulation of deer?

The average range a deer will travel for food is 1.5 to 2 miles. So if people are seeing a lot of deer, and thinking it is due to an overpopulation of deer it could be they are seeing the same deer over and over. And, without a study, how can it be proved otherwise?

Property owner, Lee Whittmann, stated in the October meeting to let Mother Nature takes its course in the reduction of our deer population. I believe Mother Nature has done just that with this last severe winter. Darron and I used to have many, many deer at our house, but now I only see 3, maybe 4. I've heard other property owners say the same thing where they live.

And, according to Mr. Ray, feeding is not causing an increase in population as it would take roughly half of the town residents feeding the deer all year long to make an impact on deer population growth. And, has it been determined how many of the full- or part-time residents are feeding the deer? As Mr. Ray states, both a summer and winter study would have to be conducted to see if supplemental feeding is effecting growth of the deer population. So it's hard for me to understand why the town would go to the extreme of enacting an ordinance, before getting the facts, which is in conflict with these two experts.

Sustainability is defined as the carrying capacity of enough food to sustain a population of deer. We are certainly not sustaining the deer population by feeding the deer corn or salt licks, especially when our population is reduced so much around September. Over the years, we have had an urban situation where the growing residential population has presented changes to the deer habitat, such as the clearing of trees and bushes for new roads and homes. Because of this development their natural food sources has been reduced. Natural foods that the deer eat have been cut down, such as berries. So, they eat what they can, such as ornamental plants.

Mr. Ray states that deer require certain foods at certain times of the year. Late summer and fall they are looking for high energy foods like acorns and nuts. Corn is a high energy source, so, if put out, they usually eat corn during that time of year. But during the Spring and Summer they prefer high protein foods, such as clover, honey locust pods and other legume plants. Although they will eat some corn this time of year, according to Mr. Ray, Hostas and ornamentals are like "ice cream" to deer.

All those plants that we are buying and planting is what attracts deer to our yards. It's not necessarily the corn next door. And, as much as you'd like it to happen, not throwing out corn is not going make the deer go away. Even if we quit feeding the deer, they will always feed on ornamentals. In fact, if we stop feeding them, their urge to feed on ornamentals will increase. I mean really, who doesn't want ice cream?

I know that people have mentioned deer walking on to decks and in garages. But, they were here first and it is likely that the deer have become used to people. Even though our population, short- and full-time, has increased so much, it seems they feel comfortable going where ever they choose. I use the Elk in Yellowstone National Park as an example. Elk come down and hang out in the areas of park cabins. They are not enticed to come down with food. Babies are feeding from their mothers, but they pay no heed of the people, like me, standing around taking photos. Why? Because they have become accustomed to having people around in their neighbor, and chose to accept them. I believe the same has happened with our deer. Our population has increased, but the deer have accepted us, and teach their children to accept us, and just go about their business. And I ask . . . why can't we just let them do that?

There are also no diseases in the deer in this area. According to Mr. Ray, there have been no cases of Chronic Wasting disease or Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease found in any deer in North Carolina. And, to ensure the safety of the deer population, the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission tests every county in North Carolina for these diseases every 5 years.

I really do understand that people are upset about the deer eating their ornamental plants. But, it is not only deer that are eating plants. The groundhogs also eat ornamentals. As a matter of fact, someone sent a photo to Ray's website of a young groundhog eating flowers. So, the question arises, would getting rid of the gourndhogs be next to save our plants? I've heard many people say, and I agree, that should this ordinance pass, we want to know if planting ornamental flowers will be considered feeding the deer, since we know they do enjoy eating them and they are not their natural food and not indigenous to our area.

There are so many ways to prevent the deer from eating plants. For those that wish to know what types of species of plants and flowers are considered deer resistant, I have brought copies of an article from North Carolina's Wildlife website which lists these types of plants, and an article that explains about the deer enjoying ornamental plants. And, yet another article on how to fence off your flowers to keep deer from eating them. But, the thing that works the best is a concoction you can make with egg yolks, Chili powder and enough water to go through a spray bottle that the deer hate and will most certainly stay away from. The town uses it on all the barrels and while you drive around our mountain you'll notice they are in pristine condition. I use it at home and it really does work. I am hoping to help people understand that a drastic measure, such as this ordinance, is not necessary. There are many solutions to saving our flowers.

We have so many governmental regulations in our lives that restricts what we can and cannot do on our private property, do we really need to add another seemingly unenforceable and restrictive ordinance? I've called the towns of Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Seven Devils and none of these towns has an ordinance of this sort.

This town does so much to bring neighbors together, with the Street Dances, the activities at the Rec Center and A Cool 5, to name a few. Is it worth it to pit neighbor against neighbor as they spy on each other, so an infraction can be reported? People move here to get away from this type of association, gated community, restricted living mentality. We are a town, not an association. Let's not make Beech Mountain one of those places. Let's not divide our town. Let us keep our way of life and enjoy our wildlife.

And, how is it possible to know the intention of a property owner should they be observed throwing corn out in their yard. It could be for the turkey or birds, who love corn. I feel that the Council should be aware that if you choose to enact this ordinance, I've been told by some folks they will continue to feed the deer and if they get fined, they will take the town to court and fight it as a test case. I don't believe these are just threats. I do believe that they will want to prove a point about an ordinance they believe to be unenforceable and illegal. Is it worth our tax dollars to have to go to court over such an ordinance?

As Mr. Kreh mentioned in the October meeting, the Council must decide what type of community it wishes to be. In the Homes and Land Real Estate magazine, under the Beech Mountain Realtors section, there are photos to entice people to come up here, instead of going elsewhere. It shows the golf course, a beautiful mountain sunset, our gorgeous forest, Buckeye Lake, and even Phil Pratt playing tennis, and . . . a photo of a deer eating. Visitors are always excited about seeing the deer. They stop to take photos. The deer are a natural, pleasant attraction on Beech Mountain. Wouldn't it better serve this community to embrace them?

It was discussed at the June Council meeting about the danger of the deer crossing the road and causing car damage. I most certainly don't want to see the deer get hurt, or cars get damaged, but the fact is, deer cross roads, whether there is corn, flowers or grass. They cross to get food and shelter. To reduce the deer getting hit, perhaps we can put up signs around the community saying "Caution: Deer Crossings" or something to that affect that alerts drivers to drive more carefully. Folks need to be responsible for their actions, and although accidents happen, I'm sure deer are getting hit due to speeding drivers. Perhaps the police need to be more aware of speeders, since someone driving too fast doesn't have time to react to a deer crossing the road. How about a sign being placed at the Town entrance, where the Bird Sanctuary sign is placed, stating we are a Wildlife Sanctuary and to please drive carefully? Wouldn't money be well spent on these types of signs instead of much more money being spent in court defending this unenforceable ordinance?

If one is an advocate of this ordinance, then proof should be required by competent evidence the need for it. If that cannot be done, which according to the wildlife official we've spoken to, it cannot, then this discussion should once and for all be laid to rest.

So now I am asking the Council to decide what type of community do you wish to be? What type of legacy will you leave for Beech Mountain? I've been saying all along to educate the community about this issue, but, please, DO NOT regulate.

Thank you for your time."

In other business, Eric Jelinski submitted a plan by the Recreation Committee for Falls Trail Extension. The trail will be built by a professional trail developer. The new extension will start near the fruit trees and playground on the Buckeye Recreation Center field. The extension trail will meet the main falls and will eventually offer a complete hiking loop for hikers. Falls Trail is one of the most popular trails on Beech Mountain.