BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Whether you admire them for their graceful beauty or consider them no better than rats with antlers, be prepared.
The growth of the white-tail deer population in the Tristate - Hamilton County in particular - has led to an increasing number of problems aside from the usual deer-vehicle collisions.
These telltale signs include property damage complaints and potential endangerment of other wildlife species.
"This year, we've gotten about 10 to 20 calls from people complaining, but there is little we can do," said John Klein, land manager for the Hamilton County Park District. "We usually refer them to the state."
Though no specific numbers are available, many wildlife experts said calls from upset residents have increased each year.
"This is becoming a big problem," said Daniel Frevert, assistant wildlife management supervisor with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. "Because there is no hunting in most residential areas, residents have to find other ways to deter deer from intruding on their property."
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DEER-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
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In the Tristate, deer-vehicle collision statistics are used to determine an increase in the deer population.
'95 '97
Ohio
Butler 422 382
Clermont 382 459
Hamilton 591 647
Warren 378 337
Kentucky
Boone 84 NA
Campbell 22 8
Kenton 7 5
Indiana
Dearborn 113 186
Ohio 31 42
Sources: Ohio Division of Wildlife; Indiana and Kentucky's Division of Fish and Wildlife
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Frustrated by his battle with deer and the failure of chemical deterrents, one Forest Park man recently asked his city council for permission to kill the deer that entered his back yard.
Officials may decide on that request next month.
"Deer have no natural predators in this area - other than cars," said Indian Hill Rangers Capt. Will McQueen. Indian Hill at one time allowed hunting on city-owned property, but has restricted it to private property only.
In Indiana, officials with the state Division of Fish and Wildlife say Ohio County annually reports the largest amount of crop damage from deer, and Dearborn County also has significant amounts.
In Northern Kentucky's Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, hunting laws have become less restrictive, allowing for the taking of more does.
The alternatives to hunting are rarely as effective. And humans may not be the only ones the deer are aggravating.
Hamilton County officials, along with state and local wildlife agencies, are conducting a three-year study to determine what effect the increased deer population is having on other planting-eating wildlife.
In some forested areas, such as Miami Whitewater Forest in Harrison Township and Winton Woods in Springfield Township, it is easy to see where the deer have been because the usual floor-canopy of vegetation is gone, as is any vegetation about 5 feet above ground level.
"We call these brown lines," Mr. Klein said. "These affect a number of other species who depend on these habitats for their existence. Insects. Birds. Rabbits. Possums."
Any herd that is not thinned because of hunting can expand yearly by 60 percent.
"This may sound cold," Capt. McQueen said, "but this is not Disneyland. Everybody has a right to their own opinions, and some people say the deer were here first - but that's not common sense. If it comes down to people vs. deer, we have to think about people. The deer will lose."
