Years ago, a highway was built which ran to the south of my town. As time passed, development shifted to be closer to the highway, expanding what was considered to be "my town".At the time it was built, the area was wooded with a creek running through it. In their infinite wisdom, the highway engineers decided to leave a wide median of woods and creek between the north and south lanes of the highway. This was to give passing motorists something interesting to see as they traveled our area. It may also have had something to do with the management of the creek, but the foremost thought was that it would be picturesque.
The reality is that the wooded median, while visually pleasing, has created a predator-free place for herds of deer to graze, living on the edge of cars and semis passing at 70 mph. Dead deer are not an infrequent sight here, mangled alongside the road. It is a serious danger, particularly during the most common time they are active: rush hour. The north bound lanes have the added bonus of an adjacent 1000 acre park that is under development and pushing out deer that live there.
What to do? There has been talk of building a wall along the highway to keep deer in the median and from trying to cross the highway. About as effective, I would guess, as building a wall at our Mexican border. The wall has to end somewhere and the deer will cross there.
I am no hunter, but I would much rather see the highway closed one weekend (there are easy detours around this section) and have the deer hunted to lower numbers. Yet, a recent proposal to let hunters in the 1000 acre park to hunt and kill deer, donating the meat to homeless shelters, was refused. It was deemed too dangerous. I am wondering if it is as dangerous as letting my teen daughter drive that highway dodging deer? Two teen girls were killed not too long ago when after hitting a deer, they swerved into a tractor-trailer.
I do hope our county or state will take some action before more fatalities make them realize it is a serious problem.
Visit other towns virtually and avoid dangerous deer! It is the brainchild of Travis Erwin, soon to be famous author. He is taking a break until after the holidays in hosting MTM. Chris at e-Cuneiform Scratchings and I will be hosting MTM in the interim. If you would like a link to your MTM post, please leave me a message in the comments section.
Do a little virtual traveling by visiting:
J Winter in Cincinnati, Ohio responds to my questions!
Cloudia in Waikiki, Hawaii
preTzel in preTzelville
Jennifer Jilks in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
Patti Abbott at Wayne State University
10 comments:
1000 acre park? Where's that???
My favorite, yet ludicrous suggestion from a couple of years ago was to build tunnels under the interstate for the deer to use. I suppose they were going to post signs at the tunnel openings to direct the deer. I want to know who was going to teach the deer to read the signs?
That is absurd. I can't imagine someone thinking that having deer living in the middle of a very busy and fast highway is smart. Sheesh!
I put my MTM post up today. :)
I should qualify, it is a 1000 acre business park.
pita-woman, my children would like to make all the roads tunnels. They have many reasons for this, the most pertinant being that it would be safer. However, I've been in the tunnel in Boston. I'd say I don't agree with them.
I didn't know they'd denied the request. I guess I'll have to start getting the paper, again. I thought they gave them permission to hunt with bows? I think it's a good idea. Personally, I think they should release a few wolves in there. Or, maybe we could pave it. ;0 OR, maybe we could fill it with liquor stores and bars. LOL
Better late than never, Junosmom. We were without power for 11 hours!
Trees down, chaos ensues.
BTW
You should see the Google ad that appeared on your site! Ads for 100s of pretty latin ladies!
Jennifer, the current ad that I see asks if my husband is gay and that if I click on it, there is some quiz to see if he is. I don't need a quiz - he's not. Funny that you see ads for hot Latin chicks. I didn't think they could advertise for that.
Despite the great personal risks involved, I volunteer to come up there and help reduce the local deer population for you.
I have approximately 30 years experience tracking and harvesting whitetailed deer and have all of the necessary equipment.
I will even bring the twelve Latin babes I just ordered off your website to help me process the venison during my stay.
My current fees are $25 per animal, plus lodging and meals.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Pack, you're hired. Given that you are bringing Latin babes with you, I am estimating that you will not probably harvest many deer and my outlay of capital will be minimal. It should, however, prove amusing to see you camp with twelve women.
Pita and Kristina, Yes I remember some talk of building tunnels under the highway. Perhaps they planned to leave a corn trail like in Hansel and Gretel.
Interesting post.
Unintended consequences, eh?
Happy New Year & Aloha to YOU!
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