Opinion: Destiny of Dalton deer decided this week

This coming Thursday December 4, the Dalton City Council will vote for a no feeding ordinance to be adopted. If adopted, residents may be fined for not having ‘properly’ hung bird feeders or for feeding livestock in a way that could be perceived as intentionally feeding deer. If you ‘store any refuse, garbage, food product, pet food, forage product or supplement, salt, seed or birdseed, fruit, or grain in a manner that constitutes an attractant’ you may receive a citation.

Upon receiving a first citation, ‘residents will be warned that subsequent violations will incur a monetary penalty, $100.00 a day until corrected’.

What does this mean to those who have fruit trees, livestock, tulips, or unfenced gardens? That will depend on the type of relationship you have with your neighbors as this ordinance relies on neighbors to police each other for any perceived violations. This could inflame community divisiveness by pitting neighbor against neighbor and could be used to aggravate a current dispute at taxpayer expense.

Idaho Fish and Game employees have stated that a no feeding ordinance would be ineffective as most Dalton Gardens’ property owners have ornamental plants, fruit trees, unfenced gardens and/or livestock feed/salt licks that attract deer. There are far more of these attractants than there are residents who feed deer (about 5% according to the Dalton survey). The implementation of a no feeding ordinance overburdens residents with yet another unenforceable rule that dictates what they can or cannot do in their own back yard. A no feeding ordinance panders to a minority of residents who complain about deer by hand-tying the greater community.

The no feeding ordinance will allow for the baiting of deer for the purpose of trapping or hunting. Both of which is the main purpose of this ordinance. Idaho Fish and Game employees have not recommended hunting or trapping in Dalton Gardens because killing or removing deer does not necessarily lead to a reduction in the size of the herd.

“Whenever there’s an abrupt, short-term drop in the deer population, a phenomenon called ‘compensatory rebound’ takes effect. Since the same amount of food is now available to a smaller number of animals, the bodies of the deer react by becoming more fertile, with more incidences of twin and triplet fawns and with yearlings going into estrus early. This actually leads to an even greater population of deer the following year.” (Journal of Wildlife Management 49)

Once a deer hunting or trapping program has been implemented, the killing itself creates the need for even more killing, which must be maintained year after year at taxpayer expense. Because of Dalton Gardens' location next to forest land, any deer that are hunted or trapped within Dalton Gardens city limits will be replaced by new incoming deer. These deer will not be acclimated to residential life like the herd in Dalton Gardens which could mean frightened deer running into the streets. According to the sheriff’s office, there are no reports of deer vehicle collisions from January 2011 to current date. In the 5 years prior to January 2011, there were 8 deer vehicle collisions reported. Residents should be informed that even if Dalton Gardens deer are hunted or trapped, more deer will come and eat their plants and gardens.

No matter how you feel about our resident deer herd your voice should be heard at the council meeting on the 4th. If you do not want deer to be hunted or trapped you must speak out at the public hearing as once the no feeding ordinance is adopted there is no turning back.

Jamie Smith is a resident of Dalton Gardens.