Deer kills do not work. We are not the first community to address this issue.  I have done my homework.  Maybe we shouldn’t “pester our elected officials” with issues that can’t be solved. Why don’t we invite DWR to come educate us on how to better live with these animals?  There are master gardeners living in our neighborhood who have already volunteered to share their vast knowledge with anyone who wants it.  One of the best articles I have found is “Why Deer Killing Programs Don’t Solve Conflicts with Deer” humanesociety.org.  Read this article, it may change your mind about voting for a deer kill in our neighborhood.

We have CHOSEN to live in this amazing place with it’s wildlife and exquisite mountain backdrop.  We can all learn to adapt and coexist with the wildlife.  It has been suggested by a Pepperwood resident that we install a 10 ft. perimeter fence around our neighborhood, kill off all the deer inside to “enhance property values due to a lack of deer, security aspect, and beautification.”  Besides being a really bad idea, what message does this send to our surrounding neighbors?  This is your problem now, we are better than everyone “outside the gate” and we are now deer killers too.  Hmmm????  We already have a reputation for being superior, this isn’t going to help.  I argue, a deer kill will forever change our community for the worse.  Yes, I think we should “do something about the deer,” we should educate ourselves about the beautiful animals we share our homes with and appreciate them.  We should continue to run to the window and admire them whenever one walks though our yard.  Not everyone gets to experience nature like we do. Change your attitude, educate yourselves and adapt.  With small changes we can coexist.

This picture was taken in my front yard. Pure Joy!