Watch where you’re driving, but deer population on the decline
Although there are often comments in the media about the over-abundant deer population, historical analysis shows this is incorrect. Research in the 2014 Journal of Wildlife Research mistakenly reported that “in both North America and Europe, deer populations are increasing.”
The data from the state Department of Natural Resources actually shows the change in population trend starting to turn down around the year 2000. I believe it was stated in an editorial that the decline is at least 25 percent. So there is a decline, we can all agree?
Regardless, there is the “Circle of Life” which most are familiar with from the Lion King movie and broadway show. We are all dependent on each other, and the animals were here first. We only get to borrow the earth for awhile; nature has been here much longer.
I understand the frustration that the previous writer feels after an accident. That is why is it called an accident. I have had two encounters with deer while driving a vehicle and yes, it is terrifying and damaging. However, my car can possibly be repaired or I can get a new one; the deer is dead.
Drivers need to be vigilant. Yes, about 200 people die from these accidents a year, and yes it costs money. So what? What doesn’t cost money? There were 30,719 fatal motor vehicle accidents where cars hit cars or cars hit poles or cars hit a person. Perhaps we should all stop driving cars? We all know that is not going to happen.
The deer did not ask us to pave a road through its habitat. I get more upset when I kill butterfly after butterfly with my car while driving. Even though it doesn’t damage my car, it hurts my insides as I have taken the life of a beautiful creature that means harm to no one. Perhaps you can think of the deer as butterflies or some other creature you appreciate such as a hummingbird or perhaps a dog. I have checked my facts and am not using them to embellish my opinion; but even if I did, it’s only an opinion.
Tracy Crane, Murrells Inlet
This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Watch where you’re driving, but deer population on the decline."