DEER: Invasion is recent phenomenon

Feb. 13: I feel obligated to comment on the news item on the front page of The Press on Feb. 12 concerning the wanton killing and wasting of three deer in Dalton Gardens, and in turn make a couple of comments.

Killing the deer was no crime; wasting the meat, yes. It should have been taken and utilized in some manner.

For anyone living in Dalton Gardens who takes pride in their property and tries to have fruit trees, shrubs, flowers, lawn, berry bushes and or a garden, the devastation caused by trespassing deer is overwhelming. I moved to Dalton Gardens in 1973, and as to the deer being here first, I disagree. On Canfield Mountain and the forest beyond, probably, yes. I planted a large garden in 1973 and no deer problem; 1983, no deer; 1993, same scenario; 2003, another garden and no deer, nor all the ensuing years in between. Not until about 2008 did they start making sporadic visits, which only increased until they now trample and gobble everything.

Why doesn’t the wimpy game department enforce the law against feeding the animals? The poor deer don’t know any different, they are only following their natural instinct to get food. But the people who feed them should know better. They are only enticing them and contributing to the animals’ certain demise.

The game department can only stand back and cry and whimper when someone takes corrective action into their own hands, but no corrective action to alleviate the problem. The Dalt City Dads, it seems, are a group of prevaricating politicians; promises, promises, promises and no action. God knows both entities have had enough complaints, but neither has enough fortitude to do anything.

Go ahead and sit on your hands. I’ll be you there will likely be more destruction of the deer population. People are damn sick and tired of their property and marginal livelihood being destroyed.

Feb. 15: My words ring true. Another front page news article about wanton killing of deer in Dalton Gardens. It is a shame that a sordid act like this has to happen to gain attention, but perhaps it will spark someone into taking corrective action.

I know I will have a group of detractors who disagree, but I’m sure I will have some supporters, too.

JAMES GABOURY

Dalton Gardens