HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-20 Public Comment - M. Kennedy - Deer property damage and public safety concernsFrom:Mike Kennedy
To:Agenda
Cc:Janey
Subject:Deer property damage and public safety concerns
Date:Wednesday, November 25, 2020 10:27:01 AM
Dear City Commissioners,
We are writing to ask the City to take action concerning the herds of deer living in the
Southside neighborhoods. My wife and I moved to the West Meadows neighborhood two
years ago. We have invested a little more than $30K into our landscaping and even though all
of our plantings were native and deer resistant we continue to have considerable damage to
many of our plantings. The deer population seems to be increasing and we're guessing it’s
related to the abundance of food and the scarcity of predators. We expected an occasional
deer on our property but we have a doe and her twins that feed daily on our plantings and are
even bold enough to walk up to the front door on the porch and sample plantings and then
spit them out. Our covenants, for good reason, forbid the harassment of wildlife and thus, we
have very little leeway to manage the situation. Because these local deer are seeming to
become “tame deer” they may pose a threat to walkers and bikers, especially children, in the
neighborhood. To me, it’s not a matter of no deer but less deer who have a healthy fear of
humans. I am sure many other communities in the US have had to deal with overcrowded
deer populations in the suburbs and wonder what they have done to solve the problem. Most
people I talk with in the neighborhood are frustrated with the situation and I’d like to know if
you’re receiving complaints and what measures might be taken to reduce the negative deer
impacts.
Thank you for considering our input,
Mike & Janey Kennedy-Homeowners
69 Mathew Bird Circle
Bozeman MT. 59715