Let the experts manage the wildlife

To The Eagle:

In regard to the deer being moved from Puget Island, I would like to comment. My wife and I have lived on Puget Island for the past 10 years. I am struck by the way nonresidents of the Island are so quick to volunteer my home for a deer refuge. If these people had a yard and if they had eight or more deer in their yard most every evening, I think they would sing a different tune.

The deer damage trees with their antlers, eat the bark, leaves, and blossoms and they eat many plants off at the ground. I know a seven foot fence is the answer but has anyone priced a seven foot fence lately? Living inside a seven foot fence would be like living inside a prison stockade. I am presently looking at replacing four Italian Cyprus type trees which the deer have destroyed at a cost of $160.

On Puget Island we have the same problems with vehicle-deer accidents that other areas have. Much of the road is elevated above the river and developed land by many feet. It is only a matter of time until someone goes into the river because of deer on the road. On dark rainy nights you can’t see the deer until you are right on them.

Since I have lived here three deer have been killed on the road in front of my place. There are a number of deer with broken limbs limping around the Island. There is no way of knowing how many are hit and crawl into the brush to die. I know it seems like it would be nice to have those cute little deer around, but believe me, they are more of a liability than an asset.

We taxpayers pay Fish and Wildlife personnel for their expertise or education to manage the deer. The people hired have degrees in wildlife management. It would appear many people who have been educated in areas other than wildlife management feel they know better how to deal with the wildlife than those who have been trained to do so.

Let’s let the people who are trained to manage wildlife do their job and let those of us who are trained in other fields work at doing a better job in our own area of expertise.

Island residents: Please express your opinions to Fish and Wildlife. You only have one more week. Comments can be e-mailed to: willapa@fes.gov or call the project leader at (360) 484-3482.

Eugene Freed,Puget Island