City considering sharpshooting or trapping deer in Northwest Austin

KVUE news coverage of sharpshooting deer in Northwest Austin (watch video here):
http://www.kvue.com/home/To-shoot-or-not-to-shoot-controlling--108792884.html

Text of news story on KVUE website:

by ANDREW HORANSKY/ KVUE News
kvue.com
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 6:36 PM

A local consulting firm called Plateau Land and Wildlife Management recently conducted a census in Northwest Hills. It was not a count of people, but of deer.

“We found that we have a severe population problem there,” said Plateau President David Braun. “There are four times as many deer as is natural.”

Funded by the City of Austin at a cost of $7,500, Plateau counted about 400 deer, and recommended removing up to 300 of them. The firm then presented two options for controlling the population: trapping the deer, or using sharpshooters.

In trapping, huge nets surround the deer and can catch more than one at a time. The process, however, can traumatize the animal. Braun says sharpshooting is not only quicker, but possibly cheaper.

“I think people instinctively want to find the safest way, the most humane way,” Braun said. “Until they have studied it, they cannot imagine that this is going to be the conclusion.”

In the meantime, some residents say the deer problem has never been worse. They have gobbled up plants and caused countless accidents, and yet not everyone can agree on sharpshooters.

“I understand why some people may think it’s a good idea; we have too many deer around here,” Alexandra Evans says. “But, having kids, I just think the idea is pretty scary.”

The neighborhood association will ultimately vote on using traps versus sharpshooters.