According to the Commission Discussion Session agenda for September 24, 2012, the Commissioners are placing a conference call at 6:30 PM to Laura Simon regarding deer options. Ms. Simon, a nationally renowned wildlife expert from the Humane Society of the United States, will address issues related to the humane management of urban deer populations. One half hour is allocated on the agenda for this phone call. I see that she will be meeting with folks in Austin, Texas on Thursday. National expert to discuss humane management of urban wildlife
Unfortunately, my commissioner has sent out an email to her deer culling advocates, urging them to contact their commissioners to have another deer culling for 2013. At several meetings, Kristen Linfante has admitted that she is the lone wolf on this topic. Even past president, Dan Miller, has expressed his concern with deer culling in Mt. Lebanon. Commissioner Kelly Fraasch has this to say about deer culling in Mt. Lebanon in her blog post Position on Deer Culling.
I am very disappointed with my commissioner for advocating another deer culling, without listening to what an expert has to say on the topic, let alone what Dan Miller experienced in his ward while commissioner.
14 comments:
I have two comments, part 1 and 2 that are waiting for approval. Unless you come forward with your real name, I will not be publishing your attacks on the Humane Society. You didn't like the comment last week which I removed, so I must be more careful about publishing negative comments. You can't have it both ways.
Elaine
Where’s the money coming from to pay for a deer cull?
In a post-gazette article it states it would cost $16,000 for a deer survey and approximately $50,000 per year for the cull.
What would deer culling replace in the budget?
Katy Collins
Nothing, Katy, they'll just up your taxes.
Hi Katy! You are correct. I would like to emphasize that it is PER YEAR. A cull must be done year after year for many years. It also needs to be done regionally, rather than just in Mt. Lebanon. I live very close to Castle Shannon, yet they were killing deer that live in the wetlands/woods that are at the end of my street - in Castle Shannon.
I am just sick over this. Funny how the folks who are pro cull claim that it is a safety issue, yet every person who spoke in favor of a cull have had his or her home on the Garden Tour.
Elaine
Cull deer, raise taxes or cut funding for a program take your pick Mt Lebo!
I think Mount Lebanon needs to exercise every possible option before spending the money and exposing residents to shooting. The shooting in our neighborhoods would be far more dangerous.
Why do we need to cull? We have a no feeding ordinance. That'll take care of the problem. After that, we can all ride unicorns to the base of the beanstalk that leads to the sky kingdom.
Elaine, what do you think should be done with the ever increasing deer population? I have photos of 25+ deer on my property at one time. My property also happens to be in your neighborhood. The deer that were killed in the wetlands(open storm sewer)/woods were killed by bow hunters (hunting legally), not sharpshooters hired to cull the deer. That property is privately owned and is in Castle Shannon. We absolutely need to do something, since the wildlife was pushed from their refuge when the wonderful world of Hoodridge Highlands was built. Remember when we were kids and Bambi, Thumper, and even the Tortoise were tucked safely in the big woods along Connor Rd.? Ah, if we could only go back, then we would be excited to occasionaly see the elusive animal peeking from it's natural home. I hope someone comes up with a solution...although I am for culling and donating the meat.
I didn't say anything about deer being killed in Castle Shannon. I was talking about deer that were killed next to my house.
I am not an expert. At least most of the commissioners are willing to speak with an expert next Monday.
Elaine
I live in Elaine's neighborhood too. Perhaps we are neighbors. 25+ deer would never fit on my property. My property is larger than Elaine's. The bow hunters of which you speak were hunting illegally. No Hunting signs are posted annually.
Hey guys, you are starting to creep me out.
Elaine
8:57, we do have a deer feeding ordinance.
It is so strict, the bird feeders at Markham are illegal because they are within reach of deer.
Now that the deer feeding has stopped, the deer population is going down, right?
Next do we cull the cats, squirrels, and the occasional dogs that wander in the road?
Katy Collins
Maybe if we weren't always taking away their habitats (a good example is the Kossman property on Castle Shannon Boulevard that was cleared for a fitness center that will never be built), the deer would be less likely to wander into residential areas.
Just like people, they have babies to feed, too.
As for run-ins with cars, I'm pretty sure there would be fewer if people would slow down and obey the speed limits.
Post a Comment