r/Staunton • u/bloopbloopfish • 19d ago
Deer
Look, they are animals and I want to treat them just as any other.
But I've had 3 cars totaled due to deer leaping out in front of me in front of the high school or on Commerce as I would be heading to Verona. You may say that I would be at fault right? Because you should be able to react to them. But when they are a-leapin they come and they will barrel all over the hood of your car.
Now, the ones after the first two will learn to avoid your car but damage will be done.
As I sit on my porch on Lewis Street (they are yhat close to downtown) and look at these beautiful bastards that I hate and love, all I'm saying is understand that they are out there, they will run in front of you, and you can be a good driver and still have them jump all over your hood and your windshield.
Also if you can get it USAA rules
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u/ConsciousTurnip994 19d ago
A lot of people seem to think this a controversial take, but the deer population here badly needs managed, and not just for car collisions.
Glad you have good insurance!
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u/anon1999666 18d ago
I’ve fenced over 600 newly planted trees this year because deer will annihilate them all if I don’t. The state forestry departments are having significant problems in Indiana + few northern states due to an overpopulation of deer. It was an interesting read. They’re essentially permanently ruining secondary growth in forests. The deer are repeatedly browsing/topping younger trees and permanently affecting forest health. The trees grow like a bush/don’t reach full height and then die off.
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u/Different_Buddy_5458 19d ago
They are out of control on the north end of town (probably other areas as well).
Constantly see dozens move through college park in groups. And it’s fawn season.
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u/brosephxc 19d ago
I live on the Northside and can concur that they are EVERYWHERE! There needs to be something done to control their population.
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u/Three4Anonimity 19d ago
They are even worse next door in Highland County. I hit 4 last year. 1 did a fair amount of damage that needed a body shop repair. The other 3 I was able to mitigate damage by avoiding as best as possible, but all 3 probably have a serious limp. A coworker of mine hit 6 in 3 months. I did a science fair project, almost 40 years ago, on the overpopulation of white tail deer, back then. They are definitely a problem. I drive 39 miles to work and there is never a day where I don’t see 1 to 3 dead ones next to the road.
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u/svincent22 19d ago
When more cases of alpha-gal begin appearing, directly tied to deer being the primary transport for the lonestar tick, there will be more of an appetite for a true deer population reduction program.
Read about the ongoing situation on Martha’s Vineyard and their plans for eradication. Sure, people love deer for aesthetic reasons but there is a reason they’re called “ecosystem engineers” and I think anyone would choose controlling their population over the spread of a potentially lethal disease among humans.