To The Reader’s Forum:

Any day now I expect Jamestown to be named “Deer City USA.”

The number of deer living within the city limits presently is staggering. Recently, I looked across the road from my home, which is in a residential area, and counted as 18 deer walked between the houses. They walk down the sidewalks like pedestrians. My daughter works at an elementary school in the city. She walks out at noon and counts 32 deer around the school, playground, etc.

It used to be I’d worry about driving country roads because of possibly hitting a deer crossing the road. Nowadays I don’t see deer out in the country. I never have to worry about hitting a deer until I’m well within the city of Jamestown, whether it be near Allen Park, schools or right downtown.

Not long ago a city man was literally run down over and seriously injured by a deer running from a parking lot downtown while he was riding his motorcycle. The deer feed off any plants or bushes residents try to grow in their yard. Pets need to be watched so they don’t ingest the ridiculous amounts of deer feces everywhere. Deer ticks will continue to be a problem for both pets and humans. Some have had pets, which are in their own yards, kicked by deer and hurt badly. While some people may think these deer are cute, the problem is out of control and will only get worse. The deer are multiplying rapidly and thriving. There is nothing to stop them, except for cars, or maybe more coyotes will move into areas as they have on the north side. People probably think they’re cute too.

City officials need to develop a plan to thin this deer population now. It’s already too late, but the problems associated with them are going to become worse. Overpopulation of deer in any area needs to be controlled through hunting, and the city is no exception. Bring some professional, knowledgeable hunters in with crossbows, find safe areas to lure deer, put them down and harvest the meet for distribution to kitchens that feed the less fortunate. Many have suggested this solution, but city officials want to ignore the issue. It’s their responsibility to solve it.

Dana Williams

Jamestown