The Virginia deer populatin needs a solution
When I was a teenager an older neighbor hit a deer while driving on 460 East in Bonsack and it totaled his car but I never personally saw any deer in Botetourt County while growing up. In recent years the deer population has increased in Virginia, especially in Roanoke City. I now see deer in front yards, and back yards and crossing the street in front of traffic on a regular basis, and there have been many complaints statewide. A proposal that may have offered a solution to decrease the population of these animals in the state has been rejected and there are no other alternatives at this present time.
Southwest Virginia Del. Marie March, R-Floyd had proposed extending deer season year-round on private property in the Commonwealth which sounded like a reasonable solution that would have decreased the population since the Virginia Deer Management Program advocates this line of action.
Hunting is the most effective and efficient method available for managing deer populations. Hunters may take deer during urban archery, early and late archery, early and late muzzleloading, and general firearms seasons. Virginia’s total deer harvest has averaged over 230,000 in the past decade.
Elected official shoot down a viable option
On Jan. 18, however, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water Oceans and Wildlife failed to take any action on House Bill 1811. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, the chairman for the Natural Resource Subcomitte now says the bill "is likely to remain dormant".
“I don’t see a path forward for the bill,” Ware said, noting “the subcommittee heard the testimony and didn’t feel compelled to make a motion.”
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