DON'T BUCK THE TRUTH: KILLING DEER WORSENS OVERPOPULATION

As a member of the League of Humane Voters of Ohio (LOHV) and very active volunteer for a local deer advocacy group, this writer is armed with facts concerning deer overpopulation and wildlife statistics. For this reason, I strongly object to Parma even considering a deer “management” (one of many polite euphemisms for killing) program, as recently cited in certain front page stories.

Before any action is taken, residents must face these facts:

FACT: Killing deer creates “compensatory rebound effect." Well-documented by wildlife biologists and divisions of wildlife everywhere, including Ohio, here's how rebound works: Less deer after killing (hunting, etc) + the same abundant food source for the survivors = better overall health, increasing the fertility of female deer and causing them to conceive at an earlier age and give birth to twins and triplets. Again, killing deer creates more deer.

Case in point: Cleveland Metroparks (aka “Emerald Reckless”) is entering its 13th year of deer slaughter because the past 12 years didn't do the job.

FACT: The Ohio Division of Wildlife profits between 15 and 30 percent annually from deer hunting. In fact, DOW exploits the rebound effect as a means to propagate deer. They need to keep a high inventory of live targets for economical reasons. DOW is the prime mover in any urban hunting. Their comprehensive plan involves opening up more hunting areas, and has stated so publicly. Nothing happens without their approval. State regulations require a certain amount of setback on property, which Independence totally ignored.

FACT: Southern Parma and adjacent communities see higher numbers of deer because those nearby, including Independence, allow bow hunting or other kill methods.

FACT: Independence, the geographical center of Cuyahoga County, is an excellent case in point about how to deal with deer management -- in all the wrong ways. Bow hunting has entered its third bloody year there, and it's often done illegally (at minimum, dozens of serious violations have been cited). Independence passed an ordinance virtually off the public radar so special interest/hunting groups, some, city employees, can hunt however they please. This includes Riverview Road where, with the help of a "nuisance permit," deer are killed with guns and dumped into a nearby ravine. Now, Independence wonders why it has a coyote “problem" to be "managed."

At this writing, Independence is violating Ohio's "Sunshine" law. Designed to ensure the public receives full disclosure, including council minutes, and in a timely manner, the city is now keeping the gist of what's going on from prying eyes. Will Parma residents stand for the same?

Some facts concerning certain Parma council members' stance on the deer issue:

FACT: Councilman Napoli publicly claimed “we have to do something [about the deer issue.]" What does "something" mean? And why does something have to be done? If residents don't inquire, it may be too late -- like in Independence. Except for one particular Parma councilwoman -- in Ward 1 -- most of council expressed reservations about killing deer, or doubt about whether anything should be done. Why, then, is it being discussed -- not to mention, writ so large across recent front page headlines? Red flags, anyone?

Take special note: As with Independence, it seems to take one or two council people with connections to special interest/hunting groups to pass an ordinance.

FACT: Mayor DePiero advocates “having an expert advise Parma on how to manage the deer population . . .” In this case, as always, "expert" means DOW and killing.

FACT: Parma residents themselves must watch Ward 1 councilwoman, demand access to all meetings, minutes and other information. Start a special group so that things can't be kept on the down-low. In Independence, an emergency ordinance was posted on its website late one Friday and approved the next business day by a small group of council advocates and one DOW employee. Yikes!

FACT: Deer vehicle accidents (DVA’s) are caused by hunting. Erie Insurance reports more DVA's first day of hunting than any other time of the year. Hunters chase deer from woods to roadways; sharpshooting, too, can force deer into streets.

FACT: Some deer nuisance problems are solved by simply not feeding, modifying driving habits (especially at certain times/seasons), implementing non-lethal deterrents for roads, yards, etc. Our group brought a national expert to the Seven Hills recreation center last year for “How to Deer Proof Your Garden in Five Easy Steps” to a standing room only crowd. It's being requested again by the city.

FACT: Parma, like Independence, is smart! During a recent phone survey about bow hunting in Independence, we found virtually no residents want hunting, sharpshooting or any deer killing -- not even some hunters! Again, how did this come to be? Because roughly six to seven percent of the population -- hunters and their kin -- have found ways to overrule the majority.

These species-centrics treat fellow humans the same way they treat animals.

In fact, you can tell a lot about a nation – a community – by the way it treats its animals. We are at war with other humans around the globe. At war, it seems, with each other here. Do we have to ramp up the war efforts on wildlife, now in Parma?

Just as this writer and millions of others have reduced horrific suffering inflicted on farm animals through eating plant-based diets and other cruelty-free consumerism and lifestyles, Parma and all other communities can and have formed "VOTING BLOCS" to prevent or stop the madness. To learn more about the League of Humane Voters, visit www.lohv.org and click on the Ohio link.

We, the people.

--Lucy McKernan

League of Humane Voters

Seven Hills