Opinion - Oh my deer!

The deer in Colfax are a public nuisance. Many residents dodge them on city streets and try to protect their yards and gardens from them.

More serious, they are at home and unafraid. The deer generally ignore vehicles and people. They have attitude.

One young buck reportedly kicked at a truck which disturbed its saunter up Fairview Street. That is attitude.

The influx of deer is relatively new. Long-time residents say they had to leave the area years ago to go deer hunting. Now, if it were legal, all one needs to do is go into the back yard to bag one.

Opinions are split. Some residents think they are cute and give the town a unique rural flavor. A few even feed them to keep them around.

Most others consider them rats with hooves and a public safety concern. They want them gone.

Enough complaints have been lodged with the city council and enough incidents have been reported to get an official response from the city government. Instead, the council seem as paralyzed as deer in headlights when it comes to dealing with the issue.

The problem is not unique to Colfax. Some communities have come up with plans to eliminate deer. One midwestern town has established feeding stations and salt licks outside its borders. The deer are encouraged to leave town for the easy pickings provided them. If they don’t or if they return to the city limits they are transported away or dispatched by special agents.

Such efforts are ultimately successful.

Locally, experts say special hunts around Colfax will thin the population in the area and reduce competition for food outside of town. Eventually, it is said, the deer will move to the countryside, but who will say the animals will prefer wild habitat to the abundance of roses, hostas and other delectable treats in town.

Besides, in town, they have no natural predators. Reports of wolves are still miles away.

The problem can be solved. It will just take the city council to show as much attitude as the deer themselves.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher