Pros And Cons Of Deer Killing

Is Killing the Solution Over the past Century there have been various opinions on how to prevent, or maintain overpopulation of White-Tailed Deer (WTD). Although killing is the oldest, and most effective method of deer population control, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC). Some animal rights groups like People for the ethical treatment of animals (PETA) feel that the killing of the WTD is not the answer to the problem. The population of these beautiful WTD is on the rise, the question on how to effectively slow down the growth. According to State Farm Insurance Company there are over 1.23 million deer-vehicle collisions in the USA from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 (Blackwell, Seamans, DeVault Page 1). Although hunting, and killing is the oldest method of population control for White-Tailed Deer the questions I would like to ask are, is killing necessary? Are there other methods the NCWRC could implement to …show more content…
Both Lt. Ingram, and Jonathan Shaw have encountered deer infected with the Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) also known as “blue tongue”. Both NCWRC officers work closely with hunters to ensure that this Disease does not spread to other populations of deer. Deer often travel in a heard. When the HD disease hits according to Jonathan Shaw “the disease can kill up to 50% of a single heard in one year”. There are several other diseases that can spread to humans that are indirectly affected by a large deer population. “Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, theileriosis parasites in the blood, Pharyngeal botfly; more commonly called the throat bot”(Fulbright, Ortega-S p.81). According to Jonathan Shaw these are some possible disease that can run ramped with a large overpopulated area with WTD. Hunting may not be appealing to all people. However, the NCWRC feel that hunting is a vital part of the wellbeing of not only the WTD but also for the human