More and more Howard County residents are having close encounters with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Some encounters are pleasant. The opportunity to observe or pursue deer is a valuable and memorable experience. These are encounters some people would like to continue to have and experience more frequently. However, for an increasing number of Howard County residents, encounters with white-tailed deer are less than pleasant. Many of these residents have voiced legitimate concern about increased agricultural crop, commercial nursery and residential landscape damage caused by deer. They have expressed fear about the connection between elevated deer populations and the occurrence of Lyme disease, the increased frequency of automobile/deer collisions, and the condition of the county's remaining wildlife habitat and natural areas. |