Damage wrought by hungry deer has some Brookfield residents calling for sharpshooters.
But the issue is an expensive one, and raises the ire of those content to share the space with flora and fauna.
Village officials have been receiving complaints from residents in the Hollywood area about deer damaging property and vegetation, but some residents said culling the deer is an expense the village cannot afford.
There is no set budget yet for the deer management program, because the village has not yet determined how many, if any, deer will be culled. Other factors include what organization of sharpshooters would be used for the program, and how many police officers the village would need to have working overtime, as the officers need to stand by while the culling takes place.
Brookfield officials are currently researching other nearby villages’ programs.
The cost to cull the deer could be between $200 and $600 per deer. The culling would take place between January and February.
After delving into the issue at a Nov. 23 meeting, Village Manager Rick Ginex said the Village Board is still looking for more information.
“The board’s concerned about money,” Ginex said. “Do we want to spend money on this when we don’t have any?”
Village officials met with residents in September to discuss the issue.
One concern residents raised was that people are feeding the deer, which encourages the deer to come back and also violates a village ordinance.
Sandra Roth, a resident in the 8600 block of Washington Avenue, said feeding the deer is just human nature.
“Anybody who is a wildlife, conservation enthusiast is fully aware of the battle wildlife have now,” Roth said. “They’re trying to survive with their natural habitat being invaded. Deer do not attack people. There has to be a kinder way of doing this.”
Roth has let deer eat bird seed fallen on the ground from her bird feeders. Roth said homeowners in the Hollywood area should take precautions to protect their vegetation, such as placing netting over their plants.
“Don’t come to a village that is so strapped for money right now,” Roth said. “They’re struggling.
The village claims they’ve made all the cuts they can.”
Marie Duffek, who lives in the 3800 block of Arden Avenue, said the deer have eaten plants that used to be in her garden.
“I have seen damage at my house because of the deer,” Duffek said. “Many times, I have eight deer in my yard. I had flowers in my backyard, I used to have arbor vitae trees and hosta plants, but the deer ate them all. I’ve chased them, and they just stand there.”
Duffek says the deer are not the only problem.
“Why take care of the deer? We have rabbits and raccoons who destroy things,” she said. “The village is in such dire needs of funds, and we’re going to worry about deer?”
Village Trustee Cathy Edwards said the board needed more education in order to make a decision.
“There are deer eating the vegetation, and one resident told us about two bucks fighting in their backyard,” Edwards said. “The situation we’re in right now is figuring out what is the right thing to do. If we cull them, it’s a high expense. There are residents who feel this is a very drastic move. One step that will help, cost free, is not to feed the deer.”
If the Village Board does decide to go through with a culling program, the village would have to apply for a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and would need to budget funds in the 2010 budget.
