Too Many Deer and Bears?

TIMELY TOPICS

Do we have an overpopulation of deer and bear? How do we measure wildlife population size and health and what to do about the problems they can cause? These and other questions related to wildlife management will be considered at a public seminar next Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Raphine Fire Company’s meeting room at 2130 Raphine Road, Raphine.

The Rockbridge Cattlemen’s Association is sponsoring this seminar that features two wildlife experts from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Deer and bear have long had a significant presence in Rockbridge alfalfa and corn fields and are a nemesis for growers with high value plantings such as fruit trees and vineyards. But observations in Rockbridge communities suggest that deer and bear numbers are increasing. The Rockbridge Cattlemen’s Association sees the impact of wildlife on farms and is sponsoring this event to explore options and strategies compatible with healthy rural communities and ecosystems.

Wildlife Veterinarian Kathrine McCarty and Wildlife Biologist John Tracey, both with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, will lead the seminar and answer questions about issues concerning wildlife management in our region. While many enjoy seeing deer and the occasional bear others point to the conflicts. R ockbridge now has hundreds of thousands of dollars in insurance claims every month due to collisions with deer and sometimes bear. Chronic wasting disease in deer and sarcoptic mange in bear are disease issues in Virginia. Is overpopulation playing a role in these diseases? How are other flora and fauna impacted by the deer and bear population? Are deer and bear adapting to our community development patterns to the extent they have found guaranteed safe havens from hunters? Tuesday’s seminar will be an opportunity to explore these questions with experts in the field.

Light refreshments will be available so if you plan to attend, please pre-register so we can plan for food and seating. To preregister, send email to stanleyt@ vt.ed or call the Rockbridge Extension office at (540) 463-4734.