Culling occurring in Blacksburg over coming months
Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Virginia has experienced significant deer overpopulation, especially in urban areas, due to a historical population rebound and factors like modified habitats and reduced predators. This overpopulation leads to problems such as landscape damage, traffic hazards and the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
The problem has increased over the past few years as more and more deer are being seen within corporate limits of our communities.
Chronic Wasting Disease is a prion disease spread through animal body fluids and can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. Deer also carry parasites like black ticks, which cause additional problems.
State wildlife officials say White-tailed deer are probably the best known and most widespread large mammal in North America. Recognized as a valuable natural resource, deer are a welcome sight until conflicts arise with homeowners, farmers, foresters, motorists, gardeners, or landscapers.
Their adaptability, acute senses, and other physical attributes allow them to flourish in metropolitan suburbs as well as in the wilderness.
Locally overabundant deer populations are becoming more prevalent, especially where they are not actively managed. This typically occurs in suburban communities or on corporate or protected government properties.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has issued a warning about the significant overpopulation of deer in Virginia, particularly as the general firearms hunting season gets underway.
The publication of “Managing White-Tailed Deer in Suburban Environments”, courtesy of the DWR, says as deer and human populations have increased, so have the number of deer-related conflicts.
Expanding urban sprawl and suburban environments have created excellent deer habitat with an abundance of food and protection from hunters and nonhuman predators. Homeowners may consider it a nuisance when deer consume garden and landscape plantings.
More importantly, an overabundance of deer may cause significant economic losses associated with decreased crops, vehicle collisions, or Lyme disease. Deer also affect forest ecology by feeding on preferred plants and altering the biodiversity in parks and natural woodlands.
Human safety can be compromised because increases in deer-vehicle collisions are positively correlated with greater deer abundance. It is estimated that more than one million deer-vehicle collisions occur annually in the United States, and that annual vehicle repair costs from those accidents exceeded $1.1 billion.
Each year, 29,000 human injuries and 211 human deaths occur as a result of deer vehicle collisions. Although these numbers are low compared with other sources of human fatalities, they are of concern.
Management strategies include regulated hunting, disease management zones and in some urban areas, culling to control the population. Culling is sharpshooting programs to manage local populations and reduce risks.
The Blacksburg Police Department, with the approval of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, will conduct deer culling operations in the Town of Blacksburg over the next few months.
This operation aims to reduce deer-related accidents (Montgomery County in 2023 was the second highest ranked county in Virginia for deer-related vehicle collisions) and slow the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
The local culling operation will take place at night and throughout the town. Officers conducting the culling will be in unmarked police cars.
If you have any questions regarding culling operations, the public can contact Lt. Kale Craver at (540)443-1400.
Conservation Police Officers can also issue permits any time of year to landowners who suffer agricultural or residential property damage from deer or bears.
DWR emphasizes the importance of community involvement, encouraging hunters to donate venison to families in need through the Hunters for the Hungry program. With mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing planned for deer in certain counties, the DWR underscores the urgency of reducing deer populations to ensure both wildlife health and agricultural safety in the region.
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
