Movin' On with Nellie: Don’t cull the Alamosa deer; use birth control instead

The Humane Society of the United States has an opinion about culling deer in Alamosa, the Valley, state, and beyond. 

“When deer come into conflicts with humans, communities often start talking about lethal means of control. But that shouldn’t be the answer. The Humane Society of the United States has led advances in the field of immunocontraception, which provides an effective means of population control by preventing more births instead of killing the animals.” (website: https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/deer )

On the website, actor Christopher Walken also calls for a different approach in a short video on the platform. He implores us, “Join me and support the creation of a peaceful coexistence with our wild neighbors.”

Likewise, American Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) on their website (https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/hunting ) “. . . urges that management strategies be nonlethal wherever possible and never include avoidable suffering or distress.”

So, I’m writing this column to specifically address the City Council and remind them that birth control for the deer who lived here first is much less expensive than the opulent city hall they recently built with tax payer monies. Birth control is the ONLY humane way to control the deer population. Shooting them with bullets or arrows are equally devasting to their families. Relocating and Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) are way too stressful to the beautiful and peaceful creatures.

Living in harmony with the earth and wildlife is much preferred to not only scaring and harming and hurting the deer but also to having stray arrows or bullets grease a child’s head on the way to school, or tumble through a windshield of a car driving by. Both of these solutions are far from humane or tolerable for a populated area and especially for a native species.

Perhaps there should be stronger speed limits enforced as in 15 miles per hour as opposed to 30 mph. As humans, it behooves us to understand and embrace our world, not destroy it in favor of cruelty. Please write the city council, Colorado Wildlife, and your representatives with your support to create a peaceful coexistence with our wildlife neighbors.

—Nelda Curtiss is a retired college professor who enjoys writing and fine arts. Contact her at coluan [email protected]