I have recently become aware of the deer overpopulation problem in Illinois. The population density that has resulted and the destruction of the habitat of the deer has reached an astounding 150 deer per square mile in some areas. The recommended density is 5 to 20 deer per square mile.
This gross overpopulation causes some severe problems. The deer are destroying the plant life in the area, including some plants that are endangered species. This creates a problem for the other wildlife that depend on plants for food.
The deer even have become a threat to human life. It has been estimated that this year 150 Americans will die and many more will be injured because of vehicles colliding with deer. The property loss resulting from these accidents will top $1 billion.
This problem needs to be addressed immediately.
The most effective and humane solution to this problem is to control the deer population by hiring sharpshooters to thin the deer population to a desirable number. This method was used in the area around Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. This solution is the most humane of the possibilities and benefits not only humans but also wildlife.
