Pets

Loch Raven Deer Hunt Stirs Controversy

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ― In just two weeks, a deer hunt will be staged around the Loch Raven Reservoir.

It's the first time hunters have been allowed in the area.

As Jessica Kartalija reports, it's stirring up plenty of controversy.

Some two million Marylanders use water from the Loch Raven Reservoir. The land around the water is a popular place for deer.

"Department of Natural Resources says it's usually good to have anywhere between 10 and 20 deer per square mile, but here at Loch Raven there are somewhere between 40 and 90 deer who are eating up all the vegetation," said Clark Howells with Department of Public Works.

That leads to erosion and sediment buildup, reducing the reservoir's capacity.

Now, hunters will be allowed in to help control the deer population.

"You've got all these deer eating up everything, people are squawking about them eating their bushes, and they lay around, die out there, 'cause diseases and everything," said Edward Horn, who supports bow hunting.

Baltimore residents were allowed to voice their opinions at a public meeting.

"I'm a bow hunter. I think it's a good sport, and I think it's a viable way to control deer populations. They've been doing it at Liberty and Pretty Boy for years, no problems," said Jay Lancaster.

"If they are going to hunt the deer, maybe they ought to think about the people leaving the trash, beer bottles, the cans, all this kinda stuff," said Linda Schoene.

"They keep saying that it's not going to impact people, but we've had people call us and say it's made their life a nightmare--Hunters harass them, they've had dead deer thrown on their driveways," said Enid Feinberg with Deer Solutions Maryland.

Deer Solutions Maryland believes darts delivering contraceptives will better control the deer population.

"We have looked at every alternative. There are no contraceptives approved by the FDA, everything is experimental," said Kurt Kocher with the Department of Public Works.

Starting Sept. 15, bow hunting will be permitted in the northern limits of Loch Raven adjacent to Merrimans Road.

Hunting season runs through January, and hunters must have a permit and stay within their boundaries.

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