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WILDLIFE Ashland residents split over urban deer 'threat' Some want herd culled, others say humans need to peacefully co-exist with wild animals Comment By Alec Dickinson for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Alec Dickinson for the Tidings Posted Sep. 24, 2015 at 7:02 PM By Alec Dickinson for the Tidings Posted Sep. 24, 2015 at 7:02 PM » Social News It was standing room only at the city of Ashland’s deer summit Wednesday night, and those who turned out for the event had a lot to say. Well over half of the attendees spoke at the round-table discussion organized by Mayor John Stromberg and City Councilor Carol Voisin. It’s not the first time the city has hosted such an event — almost five years ago to the day a similar event was held to gather input on deer in the city. Stromberg acknowledged, however, that the situation is different now. “We have a domesticated deer herd that has grown up for many generations in town instead of in the forest, and it’s had very different experiences than those that shape the behavior and character of wild herds," he said. "Clearly something is getting a little out of balance with our deer herd because we are getting more reports of people having serious interactions with deer where the people are struck or injured, and sometimes animals are hurt. There was even a dog that was hurt so badly it had to be put down.” The event was structured as an open forum where residents seated themselves at one of more than a dozen microphones and took turns speaking for about three minutes each. Comments were split between those who believed deer and people maintain a harmonious relationship in the city and those who are fearful of them. And for many, there has been good reason to be afraid. More than 20 people recounted instances of being menaced by deer in Ashland. Juliette Doty said she hasn’t walked her dog in three months. “We were attacked twice in one walk. It was frightening. We were herded around a car, whether I went left or went right the deer was rounding me up right in the middle of Gresham Street. Finally the driver said, ‘Just get in!’ So I did. … She dropped us off at Holly Street and the same thing happened again with a different set of deer.” Many others, particularly dog owners, recounted harrowing experiences of deer attacking and injuring animals and pursuing people in areas all over Ashland. Kimberly Wood recounted a time a deer smashed the window of her dorm room. “My dorm room window was broken by a buck who saw his reflection and charged it. I was sleeping in at the time, and luckily the metal frame held or I don’t think I would be here today.” Several of those in attendance said they would support extreme measures to eliminate the problem. Multiple people suggested some of the deer be killed and cited other cities that had instituted bow hunts for meat harvest. Others suggested sterilizing salt licks that would temporarily render deer infertile. Still others suggested tranquilizing the deer and relocating them. After talks with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, city officials said, they found they would have to remove, by one means or another, approximately 70 percent of the deer in town to reduce the overall population in the long run. Fear that the city would engage in killing or sterilizing deer was a common thread in testimony from those who described themselves as “pro-deer.” Mary Gabriel said she was shocked to hear people were suggesting culling the herds. “When I first heard the city was considering killing deer I was astounded. … The primary reason this town is so special is its natural beauty. We are nestled in a bowl of mountains. What comes with living in the mountains? Other beings, of course. They call this place their home and have done so since way before we got here. Wild animals call this home, and regardless of anyone’s comfort level, killing them is not the answer.” Some speakers said the opportunity to interact with the animals on a daily basis was part of what drew them to Ashland. Resident Sally Rose Sandler said that while she’d had deer behave aggressively toward her, she tried soothing the animals. “I send them love from my heart and talk gently to them and they leave me alone.” Sally Mackler, a wildlife advocate from Jacksonville, said she felt that while all the speakers brought varied experience, they were in essence saying something very similar. “We’ve heard a lot from the pro-deer camp, and we’ve heard a lot from the anti-deer camp. And I don’t think the polarization is good for us. I think we all want the same thing, and that’s to minimize the conflicts we’re experiencing here.” Ideas that seemed to gain some support in both camps were engaging in an educational campaign and enforcing city ordinances against feeding the animals. Stromberg said the intent of the summit was not to find an immediate solution, but to gather information that could help the city respond to the problem. The next steps, he said, include synthesizing responses from the summit and providing an online forum to record data on interactions between people and deer in the city. Alec Dickinson is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Alec Dickinson for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Alec Dickinson for the Tidings Posted Sep. 24, 2015 at 7:02 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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