In Sumner County, the charm of spotting deer is overshadowed by the growing concern over their increasing numbers. Authorities are now seeking community feedback to address this escalating problem effectively.
According to a survey conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Hendersonville’s deer population is significantly higher than the state average, ranging from double to quadruple the norm. This surge in population is primarily attributed to the limited space available for these animals, a situation exacerbated by Hendersonville’s geographical constraints.
“We’ve seen the growth exponentially in the last few years,” said Mark Burgdorf, the aldermen of Ward 1 for the city of Hendersonville. “Urban sprawl is something that has run the deer out of their natural environment, their natural habitat.”
More deer in the area is also the result of residents feeding them.
“If we continue to feed the deer, the population will continue to grow because deer are naturalist, so to speak. So if a doe can handle the population in the area and the food in the area, can handle twins and triplets, a doe will have twins and triplets, and that’s part of the problem because of the abundance of food,” said Burgdorf.
As the deer population rises, the city’s deer committee acknowledges the need for action. They are now contemplating a reduction of about 30% of the deer population, a proposal that has met with mixed reactions.
“Property damage number one. Number two, they can do property damage crossing roads. Cars will run into them. They can do property damage that way. Number three, if a car hits a deer, that doesn’t always kill it. More deer in a concentrated area can increase the disease that deer carry,” explained Burgdorf.
City officials emphasize the importance of not being complacent and are committed to addressing this issue. They encourage residents to participate in a survey on the city’s website by Saturday, Oct. 14, which will assist in shaping their approach. Regarding the budget for this initiative, officials note that they are still in the early stages of planning.
“We’re still trying to come up with an idea of what the dollar figure will be; we’ll have to contract for whatever we do, sterilization, relocation or evacuation,” said Burgdorf.
