Home > Duluth.Talk > Archives > 2006 > July > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USI know why a deer smashed your windshield
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The deer are rebelling.
According to an AJC article this week, Georgia has the nation’s fifth highest rate of deer-vehicle collisions.
Behind Henry County, Gwinnett is second in the number of accidents involving deer.
That’s a ranking based on the total incidents reported to police in Georgia two years ago - 10,017. Georgia State Patrol officials suspect that not all incidents were reported. The Wildlife Resources Division estimates that 50,000 accidents actually took place.
I see deer at my office. I will go outside to catch a breath of fresh air during the course of the day, and I will often see one, two, sometimes three of them roaming about in the wooded area just on the other side of the parking lot. It’s a really neat thing to see.
There’s always been wildlife here. Back in the day, Gwinnett was a great area in which to hunt and fish. I saw raccoons, opossums and box turtles regularly when I was growing up. Lately, in addition to deer, I have also been seeing foxes and even a coyote.
Back when Jones Bridge Park was still in the country and there were actually dirt roads strewn throughout the county, it was rare to see a dead critter on the side of the road. They all stayed back in the woods, for the most part. I knew they were there, but I never saw them. We had not yet encroached upon their land.
The fact of the matter is that deer, and wildlife in general, are running out of room. Developers carve subdivisions out of valleys, mow down whole forests in order to erect apartments, strip malls, shopping centers, business complexes and recreation complexes such as ball fields and golf courses.
I call it the Field of Dreams Mentality: If you build it, they will come. And come we have, in droves. Mild winters, reasonable prices for land, economic opportunity: There are many reasons why we have grown so much.
Now, the hidden expenses of our growth are starting to come to light. Development of the region has been so haphazard, so unplanned and uncontrolled, that now we are starting to see the consequences of our lack of restraint.
Deer come out of the woods and hit our cars like jihadists attacking infidels. The costs of repairing a damaged car and paying for hospital bills continue to grow.
Coyotes and bears, once seen only on the rarest of occasions, are now foraging through the trash bins of our apartment complexes and shopping malls.
When I was growing up, my dogs had free run of the neighborhood. They never ventured far away, my neighbors knew them, and they played in the streets just like the kids did. If I did that today, there is a better than good chance that my pet could become some critter’s dinner because they are forced to live closer together.
We haven’t really faced the consequences of our growth, but now we are starting to. And it’s going to get worse. The less space they have for their own, the more they will start to encroach on ours. Expenses resulting from property damage caused by deer and other wildlife will continue to grow.
I’m not sure what to do about it, but I’d like to hear your suggestions.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: Bill Allen
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By Kim
July 14, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Let’s see if those who were developers /builders / politicians — the ones who get to make money in this growth loved wildlife and enjoyed the beauty of just nature at its best, they would set the stage so that this growth would make certain to reserve “x” amount of land / trees / streams so that any wildlife that lives can still maintain its own existence. We’d still get to enjoy their beauty in their natural setting. In fact by seeing deers and other wildlife grazing every once in a while near where we live or work, we are reminded of our connection to nature and the peace of the simple things in life instead of the complexity we have created. I live in a small town that I have to drive 10 miles to any grocery store. We went to town council meetings and told the big grocery store representatives that if they did come, we would NOT shop at their store. We didn’t want them there. The ones selling their land had land elsewhere and would no longer be residing in our country town. To date, the green trees are still there and we are still at peace and so is the wildlife!
By Barbara
July 14, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
I live in Haralson County, and hardly ever a day goes by that I don’t see turkey, deer, we even have a “resident bear” that everyone knows about, no one bothers in our area. The thing is, we all know (and see) these animals and (for the most part) we respect their right to be here. Sometimes an accident will happen. Most of the time, in our neighborhood anyway, we just try to keep an eye out for the “critters”. They do have a right to be here. We don’t go 10 mph, but then again, we’re not trying to prove we’re on the racetrack either. If people will just slow down a little, about 75-80% of all accidents involving wildlife could be prevented. That’s just how our family feels about it, anyway. Even the teens in our family take care to drive slower around our area. Then again, that could have to do with the fact that they don’t want to have to have their own vehicle hurt. Who cares, as long as the effect is positive? By the way, we love sitting on our porch and watching the deer, squirrel, rabbits, and other of God’s creatures playing around us. You have to be quiet, though!
By LB
July 14, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
I think nature preserve is a valid reason to stop over development/distruction. It is a crying shame to see so many vacant old and new buildings yet they continue to drive out animals from their homes with new development. Where are the animal right activists when you need them?
I have also noticed that business parks have many beautiful trees yet home owners aren’t allowed trees in new development. It’s all about the business aspect and not the quality of living for people and animals.
By Brett
July 14, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
Deer are stupid animals as are squirrels and rabbits. How many times have you heard about a buck crashing through a window of a home? How many times have people in cars watched deer on the side of roads just stand there until getting closer and then just run right out in front of them? How many times has anyone seen a squirrel run across the road and then turn back again right in front of a car? Same thing for rabbits. Stupid animals that eat our gardens and get into our birdfeeders aren’t what I consider a necessity to have around. Fortunately, we can shoot them.
By KC
July 14, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
Brett, Kill yourself!
By Sara
July 14, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
How many have stupid humans run into other humans and even more stupid humans with guns killing other stupid humans? Brett sounds like the usual idiot you see cruising around in his truck, cell phone to his ear, thanking God the trees are gone and another Home Depot was built in their place. My neighbor recently complained to me about the wildlife I attract through my birdfeeders, it made her afraid she claims. I replied to her her half naked slut of a sixteen year old daughter attracts things at night that scares the heck out of me, wild young teen-age boys. Brett, the only gray matter you have is the underwear you wore yesterday, you’re a total idiot.
By John
July 14, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this
There you go Bill…Brett’s words of “wisdom” to demonstrate the “head-up-his-butt” philosphy that pervades this part of the country.
I’m from here. in case anyone plans on telling me to go back where I come from
…Ah mean heck-fire…Gawd put them critters here just for us rednecks to shoot and run over…
I’m sure Brett was just a little tongue-and-cheek…which is probably worse…he’s smart enough to realize the consequences of over development and doesn’t care. So nice for him to decide what creatures are necessary or not.
By frank123
July 14, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
Everyone likes to talk about stopping development once they have gotten their own house. Most of our homes were part of a development. People alway have great ideas about what other landowners should do with their land. (e.g. Would be great to make it a park) If you want to stop development, buy the land from the developer or get the government to change the zoning of the land.
I agree with Brett. All we have to do is shoot a couple of deer and that will put them back in their place. Animals can have rights when they start paying taxes.
By Sara
July 14, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
Oh frank123, big dumb frank123, I think it’s safe to say that in the past deer season we saw many, many deer shot; did this…as you so eloquently stated, squeezing out all of the public school education you were afforded, put them in their places? Another thing, ignorance does not exempt you from the law, you can be imprisioned for up to two years for cruelty to animals. ” Animals have rights when they pay taxes.” Try thinking before typing, it opens up a whole new world and frank123, as dimwitted as you are….you can still learn. Okay, maybe I should think before I type, I think you’re a lost cause.
By Aquagirl
July 14, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Brett, give the deer and rabbits a break. Judging by the high number of pedestrian/auto incidents in the Metro area, lots of two legged types can’t get out of the way of cars either.
By Mort Hippie
July 14, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you NIMBY-idiots admit you are socialists? You must be, since you don’t believe in the concept of private property (except your own little corner of paradise).
You want a “nature preserve”? Then buy it.
I’m a landowner, and the offer stands at $1.5 million. When it reaches $3 million, I sell.
Screw the deer, and screw you damn comminists.
By Lucky
July 15, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this
I guess the people who want to save the deer have never hit one with their vehicle. I have hit 2, one tonight as a matter of fact. The deer need to be thined out in Georgia, right now the population is well over 1 million. Thin them out so they do not starve to death, which will happen if the population keeps getting bigger.
By jj
July 15, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
god, we as people are so selfish. Who was here on this earth first? Dont be such an idiot and try to realize that deer and other animals arent stupid,WE have paved a road right through their living room.They dont know its a road.They dont know what in the hell a car is. Just thank your lucky stars we are at the top of the food chain for now.
By Chooselife
July 15, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
WILDLIKE TAKE BACK THE LAND1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ugotta B. Kidding
July 15, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this
NORMAL people, I’m sorry. I was just going to peek into this blog out of curiosity and not say anything BUT my God there’s some real “space cadets” in here. Some of you folks REALLY need to get a life!!! You really worry the rest of us.
By still healing
July 16, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
True developers are creating less space for wildlife however, deer are also thriving in areas now occuiped by humans. Deer population has increased greatly in 30 years. Hunters are unable to hunt safely. Population control, beyond hunting, is needed! Consider the consequneces of an encounter with deer while on a motorcycle. I never hit a deer prior to 1990. Since then, have glanced/hit 3 deer (Henry county).
By Andrew
July 16, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this
I attend college in Statesboro GA and frequently have to drive home to Gwinnett late at night. Every time I see numerous deer, about 5 or more a night, between Madison and Snellville. They are always right on the side of the road getting ready to cross and I hit my horn to scare them off. BTW, on my last trip up I saw 2 coyotes.
By woodie
July 17, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure what to make of this article. The land is being developed to satisfy the desires of the people to move out into land that was once undeveloped. Nothing to be done about that. Better to have unhappy deer than unhappy people. Perhaps we can set up some preserves for the displaced animals that are caught. Charge the developers and taxpayers who move to the county to fund the reserve. This way everyone benefits.
By Allison
July 17, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
I live in an apartment complex off of Peachtree Industrial and Howell Ferry. One morning I walked to my car and ten feet from me was a deer! I think it’s horrible that we have torn down all the beautiful woods in Gwinnett County. The poor animals have no where to go. Shame on the developers in Gwinnett County…shame on the Gwinnett citizens who have been here for 20 years for allowing Gwinnett to be over developed.
By John
July 19, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
Helloooo Woodie! Better to have unhappy animals than unhappy people? How about unhappy animals AND unhappy people? Who says you can’t do anything about people moving into undeveloped areas? You CAN do something. It is called PLANNING. Why not leave part of the property undeveloped and connect these areas together so that we maintain some space in our community for trees, streams, and wildlife? Why do we have to knock down everything and build out every last inch of land?
The answer is less density and planning the whole community so that it is a working system, not a dysfunctional wasteland.
We can start this process by voting for candidates who will stop overdevelopment and plan for the future in a sensible way.
Make sure you vote in the August 8th runoffs.