OUTRAGEOUS DEER QUESTIONNAIRE

This is an example of a questionnaire that is provided by towns that wish to reduce the deer population. Not one humane method was mentioned, Lyme Disease is associated with ticks not deer. Would anyone call this unbiased?

Thanks to the quick work of an animal rights activist, what appears to be a bad end for deer may actually serve to expose the agencies while the deer are spared. Wildlife Watch will be giving a presentation at the meeting in the Fall. Please let us know if you see anything like this.

You may help by returning your responses to the following questions promptly. Feel free to note further details on a separate sheet of paper to return with your responses. Frequency of problems and health, financial, and related costs are important for us to consider.

1) Are you aware of deer in your neighborhood?

___ Yes ___ No

If yes, when did you first notice deer? ____________;

Have deer had an effect on the members of your household?

___ Yes ___ No (please specify or on separate sheet of paper)

2) How many members of your household have had a deer tick bite? give # ___

3) How many members of your household have been diagnosed with Lyme or any other tick-borne disease?  give # ___

4) Has any member of your household been in a car accident in Greenburgh or nearby that involved a deer?

___ Yes ___ No

5) Have members of your household curtailed outdoor activities (activities in town parks, walking, gardening, etc.) because of a concern for contracting tick-born diseases?

___ Yes ___ No

6) Do you see the increase in the local deer population as a problem or threat to your family or to our community? ___ Yes

___ No

7) Do you think that the deer population should be reduced?

___ Yes ___ No

If yes, what methods of controlling the deer population would you favor?

. Don’t have enough information to respond

. Trap and ship out of area

. Trap and kill (possibly using the meat to feed the homeless)

. Tranquilize with dart; then ship/kill

. Shoot (hired rifle marksman, only with 25-50 ft of deer)

. Licensed hunting with bow and arrows

. Poison

. Other suggestions (please specify)

8) (If yes to question 1-6) Would you complete and return a comprehensive questionnaire? ___ Yes ___ No or may we contact you for further information? ___ Yes ___ No

---

Prevention of Lyme’s Desease

Black-legged ticks, the types that carry Lyme disease are not host specific. Deer have less to do with the spread of the disease to humans than the white-footed mouse or birds. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2147.html

According to the website above published by Ohio State University:

Eggs deposited in the spring hatch into six-legged larval ticks (most occur in late summer), which attach to small mammals (white-footed mouse, voles, chipmunks) or birds to obtain their first blood meal. These larvae overwinter, then molt to an eight-legged nymphal stage. Nymphs attach to small to medium size animals (mice, dogs, raccoons, possums, gray squirrels) and humans. It is this small nymphal stage that transmits the Lyme disease agent to humans. Nymphs molt to the adult stage the same summer, then crawl to a large mammal, most commonly white-tailed deer. After engorging, they mate on or off the host and later lay eggs. They are commonly found in and near wooded areas.

Prevention

Black-legged ticks are found mostly near or in woods. When camping or hiking in woody or brushy areas, try to stick to the middle of the trail, if possible, avoiding potentially tick-infested areas. Wear long-sleeve shirts and long trousers (not shorts) and tuck your pant bottoms into tops of socks or boots. Wearing light colored clothing of tightly woven fabrics makes it easier to find crawling ticks. Check often for ticks especially after leaving the woods. Use insect repellent containing moderate (20 to 50 percent) concentrations of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) on the skin according to label directions.

If pets are allowed to roam free, check them daily especially if allowed indoors.