359 Degrees

Yes. We have a huge problem with a neighbor feeding not only the deer (contrary to DNR regulations, which they've been attempting to enforce,)but rodents, racoons and wild turkeys. Our property is overrun with wildlife since she started the feeding, whereas we did not have any problem in the 8 years prior to her moving here. There is widespread damage to the landscape and fecal matter everywhere. We've had several home invasions of the critters, which have caused hundreds of dollars of damage to our home, including the need to replace basement windows chewed out by the raccoons. Prior to her initiation of the feeding, none of this occured. She does what she wants and will not stop despite requests, describing the harm she is doing. When attracting wild animals to the neighborhood becomes an attractive nuisance, what powers does the City have to regulate this.

Scott's reply:

I'll have to check into your regulatory question.  Have you contacted your alderman about this?  He lives just down the street.

NOW YOU'RE MEDDLING, BERG!

"Deer can carry Lyme Disease, chronic wasting disease, and be the cause of auto accidents."

So what? Teens can carry worse disease than that and are the cause of lots of accidents. I don't see a program to 'reduce' their number!

When you begin talking about 'reducing the herd' you are cutting into Santa's paw power. And every deer you cut out of the herd is one less load of presents for some obnoxious little kid in Brookfield, each of whom has a list two miles long. And I bust butt to fill each and every bag.

What'd ya figure, Santa ought to go to a fleet of Escalades? Common, there ain't that much gas in the world!

Get on back to pickin on the tax payer, and let Santa's deer just roam round the burbs challenging every Camray in town for the right of way. Frankly, the insurance companies can well afford a few thousand deer hits a year. Keeps their statisticians on their toes! And by your own reconing, this is the least expensive alternative for the burb.

The increasing coyote population will handle the deer just fine.

Scott's reply:

Ah, enlightening as always, Mr. Elf.

My vote is that the program be continued, it is doing a reasonable job. We all get the benefits of seeing deer once in a while, and with the limited herd number, have a fighting chance against them foraging away our nicer plantings while limiting the number of car collisions which cause more than inconvenience and expense to insurance companies.

For the record, I have kids in Brookfield that do not have a long list for 'santa'... and are usually thankful for what they have and what they receive for the holidays. Elf, My children are much more important than deer. To say we should either not cull the deer herd or add a kid culling program because kids can carry disease, did he/she just profer that suggestion? I thought 'elves' were supposed to care for children and making them happy. I guess person's nickname is meant to be sarcastic. :)

Can we add a program to cull the unruly elf herd? I am worried for my children with someone that makes those comments in the neighborhood, hopefully my children will never have to walk near his/her house.

Thankfully comments that rude and ridiculous only come repeatedly from that one person, and the majority of people in Brookfield are very nice and friendly.

Hi Scott, I favor the Deer program. To me it is similar to the mosquito program that seems to do a very nice job. We live near the Black Forest area that is a large breeding ground for the deer. Really hard to manage such an area that large. I have talked to the sharp shooters that frequent that area for the city and they are very good at what they do and manage what they do very well.

I sympathize with the gal that has the neighbor who feeds the deer. All bird feeders are a source for the deer also. Very large attraction for them. I have the same problem as she does. Just kind of fruitless to complain. The laws in place permit bird feeders even though they end up being deer feeders. They do a tremendous amount of damage to house plantings and gardens.

I don't think that is something that can be managed. I favor the eradication program from a saftey standpoint and the reduction of the heard for vehicle accidents. We have had a family friend killed along with his wife of only a few years from a collision with a deer on his motorcycle. The $ 25,000 of control cost to balance it against the life of a person is well spent for all the good of the community.

Looking for ways to cut back on expenses is really difficult. The renewal program for black top should be looked at. We just tore up an intersection at Gebhardt road and Brookfield road that was only a few years old and in top shape. Our subdivision road was redone a few years back, it was in fine shape.

The repaving issue has the look to it of a budget item that is there every year for that department and must be spent some where so they do so. Maybe where they maybe do not need to.FYI.

Good subject for maybe another discussion topic. Thank You for your blog.

Scott's reply:

Thanks for the comment.  I am planning a blog on road repair and widening.  It's a big topic and I want to present some fairly complex data.

As a motorcyle rider, I can tell you that deer crashes account for a high percentage of biker deaths.  The size of the herd is WI is probably about 2-3 times what it should be.  Deer are nothing more than large "rats" and don't do anything positive for the environment.  They once provided food for the carnivores but since those have been hunted to such small numbers, there is nothing controlling these pests.  Talk about "man-made pollution"!  

Prior to the sharpshooting program, the largest number of deer I saw gathered in the backyard in winter eating from the mulch pile was 15.  I think last year the largest number was 8.  I'd like to see it get down to about 4!  In case you don't know it, Milorganite is a wonderful deer repellent.  They used to eat our hosta plant sprouts down to the ground in Spring, but once we started applying Milorganite we haven't had a nibble...and the hostas love it!

By the way...will someone put a spelling book on their Christmas list and leave it for Santa's Elf instead of cookies and milk?

I agree with Larry and Interwedm.  No one mentioned that deer do have one positive (besides the ecological niche they play in many environments), they taste delicious! It is too bad that a few bad apples spoil it for all and now they cannot be processed for local pantries in many locals. That is a waste.

I mix some blood meal (good natural nitrogen source) with water and a little veggie oil, let it sit for a day, then sprinkle it around to help deter the deer and rabbits. I have never had anything touched within a week of spreading that stuff around. It does smell so keep it off yourself and anywhere close to places people hang out. I image the reason it works is the same reason Milorganite would work, the herbivores don't like the smell/taste of animal waste products. Just don't make a mistake and use Bone meal on the surface (it is a good phosphorus source when mixed into soil), most animals crave it, including dogs!

Here is the address of the DNR informational page on feeding and baiting of wildlife, for those who are interested:

dnr.wi.gov/.../bait.htm

There is a pamphlet in PDF form that clearly delineates the regulations for Waukesha County. Feeders (such as birdfeeders,) must be sufficient height from the ground to prevent access by deer.

Scott's reply:

Thank you for the information.  Have you talked to your district one aldermen yet?

The rules for the bird feeders etc. by the DNR are ignored by those that want to feed the birds. A deer can stand on its back legs and reach far above the rules the DNR has issued. Those in the community that want to feed the birds and also enjoy the presence of deer gobbleing the bird food that either falls to the ground or that they can reach just don't care or even are unaware of these rules. Just a battle no one will win, along with no funds to enforce these sort of petty rules. DNR wardens and personel are focused on more serious violations possibly by those that intentionaly violate deer feeding in a large way.

The family that I mentioned that lost there life to a deer were in the country when the accident occured. I don't know if herd controll would have prevented that accident. Certainly if the herd is smaller there food source will be then more abundant because of less competition for it. The more we seem to try and control the herd the larger it gets. The largest number of deer I counted in spring at a neighbors bird feeder (4 feet above the ground) was 27, with many waiting in the woods that were not as agressive as some of the larger deer. The area of the city we are talking about is 2 blocks north of Blumound and 2 blocks west of Calhoun Rd.

There is of course the very large environmental corridor in that area that winds its way north into Menomonee falls. Just a huge area, maybe to large to even try and to control the herd. Another area I am familiar with is Wirth Park and the area north of there. Many, Many Deer there also with large flocks of wild turkeys also.

In reflecting on the heard control I really don't know if it does any good. The Deer are still in my back yard every night. One to 4 of them. They make the rounds of the yards going from bush to bush and bird feeder to bird feeder.

The expense may well be just money in the wind. I don't see a difference. We have lived at this address for 24 years.

I wonder if we were to go fishing for the deer with corn on a fish hook in the fall if that would be a reasonable way to try and control those that are in your immediate area. No fire arms involved. I do think there is pleanty of room for them, right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy on my plate.

Larry, I suggest you make friends with Elf so he will share the spelling book he's going to get for Christmas!

Hi Tweedy, you must have been an english teacher that never got hired because of a terrible disposition. You also have had errors in your sarcastic postings. Just really not important to the discussion here. It obviously upsets you but I could care less who ever you are. Have a nice day anyway.

Yup, you caught me tweetster - 'common' rather than 'come on'. Good shot!

By the way, how are you doing shooting all those song birds off your back yard bird feeder? Now that you're using a pellet gun, I'll bet no one in the neighborhood realizes that you are the serial killer!

By the way, does that violate any city ordinances?

And returning to the subject matter of the Alderman's post - Scott, has any one in town considered using a combination of the suggested approaches to handling deer?

It seems to me that if we were to use several approaches at once, we'd get the most buck for our bang (pun intended!). Say we tried using contraceptive agents in known deer reproduction and nesting areas, regulated hunting in areas where hunting would be deemed safe to the community, along with use of sharpshooters to augment the kill elsewhere.

An additional technique not mentioned in the DNR list would be for citizens  as well as police to report deer sightings to the city, then using expert assistance, further deer ranging areas could be identified. This would allow sharpshooters to home in on these areas, down deer with tranquilizer (as in public safety) rather than high powered rifle fire, then euthanize and remove the carcasses.

Hey with these kinds of innovations on your record, can a run for Mayor be far away?

Scott's reply:

Sounds like you are the innovator, Mr. Elf.  Perhaps you should run.  I heard 38% of the electorate will vote for anyone!

I believe you're correct about the 38%. But then that would reduce your task to winning 13% of those who will vote for anyone else!

Elf, what in the world makes you think that anyone who feeds the birds would also kill them?  You are one odd character if you think that is a logical remark for you to make.  I guess spelling isn't your only shortcoming.  

I guess I got Larry's goat in pointing out his lack of literacy, but he should bone up on his spelling rather than attack me.  His use of "there" when "their" is appropriate indicates he played alot of hookey as a youngster.  I like to point out to people that their credibility suffers if they can't even have a command of their own language.  "No one knows how dumb you are until you open your mouth." is an old adage worth remembering and it applies to all forms of communication.

Here's exactly why I would kill 90% of the deer!

www.jsonline.com/watch

Hi Tweedie, you're doing a great job of showing us who and what you are with what is coming out of your mouth. Your contributions to the discussion here are always meaningless and only centered on making personal attacks on nothing that has to do with the subject matter other than to try and irritate someone. Scott has put considerable time into doing a great job of presenting information on his selected subject.

For you to just make goat remarks about someone's spelling is very childish. But then again as we all get older illness sometimes sets in for the elderly and so I have lots of sympathy for you and will judge all your conversation accordingly.

There are lots of new medications available to help lessen the effects of the aging process on the brain and nervious system. I am sure there is something out there to help you or possibly and adjustment in your present meds is now necessary. Then again there is the distinct possibility that maybe you are over indulging in something.  I still have sympathy for you, so have a nice day. I apologize to those that read this blog for lowering my self to Tweedies level. This kind of conversation contributes nothing to a well written subject for discussion.

Scott's reply:

Well, now that we've cleared the air, perhaps we can continue with meaningful discussion, typos and all.

Elected officials often encounter residents who write poorly, show little advanced education or become nervous when speaking in public.  All of us work hard at overlooking those points to understand the underlying message that is so important to the resident that he took the time to contact us.  I would appreciate all of you residents trying to do the same, whether you happen to agree with the person or not.

As the old saying goes, "You can disagree without being disagreeable."

According to tweetie's link (www.jsonline.com/watch) "The Fond du Lac Police Department says neither she nor Tridento were wearing helmets."

Well now, given the number of people in the area who need kidneys and other usable organs, it sounds like a win-win to me, tweetie! And as to your Beeman GS950 .22 air rifle, all you need to do is follow the link:

www.reviewcentre.com/review128264.html

Unless, of course, you'd like to convince us that you are not THAT particular "intewedm"?

I'll stick by my original suggestion Scott. Prevent the deer you can using contraceptive agents in known reproduction and nesting areas. Then send an army of tweeties out to shoot the rest with tranquilizer darts, and cart em off to where ever.

Have you heard a better idea yet?

Scott's reply:

A more complete story on the double fatality deer/motorcycle accident may be found on the Fond du Lac paper web site.  A tragedy in so many ways.

http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/FON0101/80629010/1985

Deer sterilization was considered briefly during the original study, but it is very expensive.  We also had many offers from city residents to do the hunting for free or if they could keep the carcass.  For safety reasons, we choose to stay with the professional services with well trained riflemen (mostly police officers).

Scott,

I know it's just not like you to be wrong, but the comment you have publicly attributed to INTEWEDM on queersighted.com is actually made by someone using the name "lawrence." I find it rather amusing that you frequent a site called "queersighted.com."

I'll give you until about 3:00 p.m. today to post this. You might also want to publicly apologize to Grant for your libelous statement. You wouldn't want to hide your mistake and let everyone think you're a hypocrite, would you?

Scott's Reply:

See my column of the next day offering an explanation and apology.  And the original comment doesn't just disappear as all of your past writings have.

Hi Scott, the motorcycle fatality I reffered to in an earlier post was in Jefferson County and the husband/wife riders were very close to home. I have to speek with respect for the couple that ended their life doing what they enjoyed being bikers. She also was an elementary teacher from the Janesville area. Many children at the funeral. She also was hit by an oncoming vehicle. Ryan Vanderboom's family arranged for organ donation , so the spirt of the family does live on.

I support the sharpshooter program. It may be questionable as to how effective it is but with a concentration of population such as we have in a relatively small area and the vast environmental areas that serve as habitat for the deer it is worth the expense. The widening of Calhoun Rd. gives a mortorist a larger field of view to help a person stop or r alert them to the presence of deer. My wife got a 9 pt 190 lb buck at the bottom of the Calhoun Rd. hill in about 1986 with a ford F 250. We had it mounted and it is now in our living room with various decorations hanging from its rack as the seasons change. Lots of giggles with that.

There usually is a sharp shooter that is located in the Black Forest west of Calhoun Rd. Good placement because of the amount of traffic on Calhoun Rd. The sharp shooters are very professional and respectful of the neighborhood. I usually talk to them if I meet up with them on the street.

Scott's reply:

This link to the Watertown Times gives an account of the tragic accident. 

http://www.wdtimes.com/articles/2006/05/11/news/news3.txt