There’s been an uptick in deer in Baltimore lately, so much so that the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks is leading an effort to do something about it.<\/p>\n
What ultimately happens depends on the community input the department gets.<\/p>\n
Damage and concerns<\/p>\n
The city’s growth in deer population has led to more homeowners reporting landscaping and other property damage, according to Shane Boehne, a BCRP wildlife conservation analyst.<\/p>\n
However, the concerns go beyond just property damage.<\/p>\n
“[There is some concern of] contracting Lyme disease. That doesn’t directly come from deer, but it does come from the black-legged ticks that use the deer as a host,” Boehne said.<\/p>\n
The deer have been eating vegetation at the city’s parks as well, which in turn causes environmental concerns.<\/p>\n
“A lack of that next generation [of plants] both hurts the forest overstory in the long-term, but it also has real implications right now for amphibians, small mammals, ground resting birds,” Boehne said. “They don’t have the habitat food resources that they need.”<\/p>\n
Community input<\/p>\n
In June, the city released a survey asking residents where they’ve seen deer, and their views toward the deer population and deer management.<\/p>\n
As of Friday, more than 3,700 surveys have been returned. Boehne said he and his team are still combing through those surveys.<\/p>\n
Starting Monday, there will be a series of public information sessions to go over what can be done to address the city’s deer population.<\/p>\n
During those sessions, people can give feedback. Based on that input, BCRP will decide how to handle the deer, which will include lethal options.<\/p>\n
“We are making a very hard effort and a concerted effort in order to make good decisions based on best management practices for urban deer management,” Boehne said.<\/p>\n
Here’s a list of the public information sessions; they all run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.:<\/strong><\/p>\n