In 1972 it may have been rare to see a deer in Pepperwood.  Nature is not static.  There are many complex influences that affect the change and growth of our ecosystem.  When humans plant unfenced, inappropriate landscaping in deer habitat, the deer will eat it

There is no clear number of deer that roam in and out of Pepperwood.  As migratory animals, these numbers change daily.  Statements such as there are “multiple herds” in our neighborhood and that “they attract cougars”  and “carry disease” and suggesting that a deer would attack a child are scare techniques to gain support for a weak position.  Deer are NOT inherently aggressive animals and will NOT attack unless they are threatened.  We strongly oppose the idea that the deer “must be controlled.” They are part of our ever evolving ecosystem.  To kill them is just inhumane!

Let’s get the science right.  There is NO proof that our deer are sick or carry disease.  There are NO cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in SL County and according to the Centers for Disease Control the risk of transmission from animals to humans is considered extremely low. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 10/15/20).  We have very few ticks in Utah.  Lyme disease risk is correlated with an abundance of mice, but not with an abundance of deer. Deer do not infect the ticks with Lyme disease bacteria, but mice and chipmunks do. Some Centers for Disease Control scientists recently reviewed the scientific literature to ask wether culling deer reduces cases of Lyme disease.  Short answer: No. (The Forecaster, June 19, 2017) Our deer are healthy.

It just isn’t safe to hunt in suburban areas, there are too many people and too much human activity.  Suburban deer kills - no matter what target level is set - end up killing very few deer, after which the population quickly recovers and bounces back to its previous level (Why deer killing programs don’t solve conflicts with deer humanesocity.org).  It is fool hardy to arbitrarily kill the deer.  It will not solve the problem. 

Pepperwood is on the brink of a PR disaster.  We can not change past efforts made by the HOA (or affiliated lobbyists) to carry out deer elimination, however we can stop it now.  There is significant support for coexisting with the deer.  In one week we have gotten over 2,000 supporters to sign our petition to “Stop the Unnecessary Killing of Deer in Pepperwood.”  We would encourage the HOA (with input from surrounding communities) to adopt a resolution supporting deer education and coexistence.

Pepperwood is a great place to live, let’s keep it that way.  Leave the deer alone.  Sign the petition at: http://chng.it/c5swyCRh

Chris & Dawn Sontag, 25 Year Pepperwood Residents