Letters to the editor - Sunday (11-15-09)

Several factors raise deer risks

Regarding the Nov. 9 story headlined "Hazards on hoof: It's season for deer collisions":

This story implied, whether deliberately or by accident, that deer hunting was a primary cause of collisions between motorist and deer: "In Hower's district É there's an average of 50 to 100 animal vs. vehicle collisions for the three-month period. That, coincidentally, is the same time as the annual deer season."

The implication, though perhaps innocent, was misleading. The primary reasons for the increase in collisions at this time of year are threefold.

Foremost, the first two weeks of November are the mating season, with bucks traversing great distances in search of mates.

With the reduction in foliage, there is less cover for the deer to move into when startled at the edge of the road, increasing their tendency to jump across the road instead of into the bush.

Lastly, the food supply which has been ample during the spring and summer diminishes, and entire herds move to new locations in an effort to forage on unspoiled ground.

With the removal of all natural predators from our local environment at the beginning of the 20th century, the deer population tends to increase unchecked in our area. This not only causes an increase in vehicle collisions, but often during times of drought it causes starvation as the diminished food supply is not great enough to support the deer.

Those who hunt should be lauded for their efforts, not vilified. Their efforts serve to reduce the number of collisions and prevent the starvation of the healthy population.

— Matt Haney

Salisbury

Common goal, common coverage

Dear public servants, thank you for making the commitment to improving the quality of health care. While I do not know what the specifics are in the current bill, I do know we now appear to share a common goal.

Just as Americans have come together to build roads and other projects we can all share, it is now possible to imagine roads to healthier opportunities.

As you continue to perfect version 1 of reform, please remember that I expect all federal employees to be included in the same system as the public they serve. This will provide the check and balance needed for many generations to come.

— Rex White

Salisbury