Public Comment on the Proposed Expansion to Deer Management Program at the Soldiers Delight N.E.A.

A Record of Public Comment
on the Proposed Expansion to Deer Management Program
at the Soldiers Delight N.E.A.

The Public Comment Period
Ended at Close of Business on October 17, 2008

Thank you for your interest.

10/16/2008
The managed hunt at Soldiers Delight would seem like a great opportunity for disabled hunters. Perhaps a number of spaces available can be set aside for those with disabilities. - R.McC

10/16/2008
My name is... and I am a homeowner on two acres at the northeast corner of Deer Park and Lyons Mill Roads in Owings Mills. To give you a little personal background, I grew up in California, meaning that I am one of the most hopelessly ecology-minded, conservation-oriented, tree-hugging Bambi-lovers you’ll ever want to meet - PLUS - I am married to a former PETA member. The idea of killing deer for sport is completely repugnant to me and always has been. AND...I am totally in support of the managed deer hunt proposal at Soldiers Delight.

When I first heard that the Department of Natural Resources was planning to shoot deer on the hallowed ground of Soldiers Delight that is not adjacent to but very nearby my home, I was completely opposed. But I keenly understand the need to cull a deer population that has gotten so out of control that they threaten to endanger their own health. Have you ever heard of chronic-wasting disease? It is a devastating illness brought on by overpopulation of colonies with no natural predators. The deer die a slow, horrible death, wasting away little by little from an illness that is akin in some ways to our “flesh-eating” disease.

After listening to the actual plan for deer management proposed by the DNR, with five staff members for every hunter, an extremely limited range of fire for each, a hunt duration of only two days using an elite group of shooters who have paid good money to enter a lottery hoping to receive a coveted hunting slot, as well as all the other precautions and restrictions that were outlined in the deer management meeting at New Town High School on October 15, I have completely changed my mind about being opposed.

I don’t mind that the deer eat my prized rose bushes. I agree with those who say that the deer were here first and that we should learn to live in harmony with nature’s creatures. But none of that changes the fact that their extreme over-population is threatening, not only over thirty species of rare and endangered flora and fauna at Soldiers Delight, but also the very existence and health of the herd itself. Far more humane, I say, to cull the herd to manageable proportions with sharpshooting hunters who are required to use the meat themselves or to give it to charity, than to leave the deer to die slowly of a hideous wasting disease caused by their own unchecked numbers. - L. T.

10/15/2008
Although a non-hunter, I recognize the severe ecological damage committed by the exploding deer population, especially in Soldier's Delight. I attended the informational forum that was last held in regard to bow hunting and the evidence is irrefutable. I understand the emotions engendered in many people when it comes to killing deer. However, it is clearly necessary in this case in order to protect the flora of the area, especially the rare gentian mentioned at those meetings. I fully support the limited hunt which is proposed. - A. K.

10/12/2008
I have been on quite a few of the DNR managed hunts and they are a very effective tool for deer management, and safety has always been paramount. The DNR personnel have always been very friendly and professional and I have a great respect for them and their jobs. I will definitely be applying for this hunt as soon as the needed info becomes public. - E. G.

10/12/2008
I strongly support the Department of Natural Resource's plan to expand deer hunting at Soldiers Delight to control the size of the deer population that is now causing extensive ecosystem damage. I have visited this unique area and we must stop its continued degradation and restore it. Thank you. K. B. L.

10/12/2008
My wife & I are interested in participating in this managed hunt. I've done these hunts in the past, with friends & my daughter, at Gunpowder and Susquehanna state parks. How does one qualify for this hunt? Any info greatly appreciated. thanks, - T. S.

10/10/2008
Let us hunt! Thanks C. H. G.

10/9/2008
Good Afternoon! I am very much in favor of a managed shotgun hunt for the Soldiers Delight area. 88 deer per square mile is way too many, and I volunteer to be one of the participants. I eagerly await the announcement of the hunt moving forward so I can apply to participate. I have had the privilege of participating a number of State, Federal and County run deer management programs in Maryland over the last ten years or so and have been a grateful participant. I realize that deer population control means shooting some of the breeder does, and after having seen the results over time at a few of the properties that are under management the results are impressive. I highly recommend that this program be approved and hope this will go well for all involved. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. - G. A.

10/9/2008
The Soldiers Delight Managed hunt proposal announcement states that hunters will be drawn via random lottery. What applicant pool will the lottery draw from. I did not see any application form to become part of that pool. The managed hunts are the best management tool to draw down the deer numbers where required or desired in area where you can just open to all the public. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. - M. B.

10/8/2008
I am in full favor of this controlled hunt. I am very aware of this area having lived in Owings Mills for the last 15 years and having taken field trips to this this area with my children's class. We have so many deer in this area and to not harvest them would be considered a crime. I don't say that without backing up that you see deer in these areas at all times of the day not just morning and evening hours. Also the deer have lost their wildness... what I mean is they no longer run from you but stand and look at you from a very short distance. This is not normal for a big game animal and also it is not safe for person living in the area or visiting. I am sure that disease and starvation is near the top of the list with the amount of deer per square mile that are in this area. This is just an observation but the adult deer I see see to be very skinny, again this is just an observation. Thanks for the chance to opine. - J. C.

10/8/2008
I have done many of these managed deer hunts statewide over the past ten plus years and have seen their effectiveness. I would highly recommend proceeding forward with a managed shotgun deer hunt at Soldiers Delight NEA. - R. S.

10/8/2008
I believe this to be a good deer management tool to reduce over population. There are hundreds of hunters in the State of Maryland willing to participate in this project. I strongly suggest DNR implement this managed hunt January 2009. It has proven to be safe in many similar areas in the state. - W. W.

10/7/2008
Questions - What is the application process? How, when, where, provisions for partially disabled hunters, can several hunters apply together, cost? - D.W.

10/7/2008
This type of hunt is a very safe and effective deer management tool. - P.I.

10/6/2008
A managed shotgun hunt is an excellent management tool to reduce deer density in the SDNEA. With proper oversight, which is to be expected from the professionals in DNR, it should be safe, efficient and humane to the deer. It is very much needed in this sensitive ecosystem. - P.N.