1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I am writing over concerns related to deer management in Howard County, specifically in regard to the current archery hunting safety zone size. The current archery safety zone of 150 yards is impractical and prevents Howard County residents from adequately managing nuisance animals on their properties. While the managed hunt and sharpshooting programs target deer in public park land on a limited number of days, this still leaves many residential areas in the metropolitan area of the county unmanaged. A reduction of the safety zone to 50 yards would allow residents to work with local archery hunters to manage deer populations within their neighborhoods safely and effectively. * Deer increase their presence in residential areas in the winter in conjunction with the highest levels of activity of adult black-legged ticks, allowing an increased presence of these ticks in residential yards. * Deer activity in residential areas is more often than not within 90 yards of residential structures per a 2022 University of Maryland study conducted in Howard County. * Deer overpopulation reduces biodiversity for native plant life allowing invasive plant life to take over the forest understory and reduce habitat for other native animals. * Deer overpopulation in residential areas causes significant damages to Howard County resident landscaping investments in both ornamental and other plant life. * Deer overpopulation in residential areas leads to increased vehicle collisions, costing an average of $6000 per collision. * Archery hunters take nearly all shots at less than 50 yards, most often from an elevated position, allowing for a safe hunt inside of a 50 yard safety zone. * Being an environmental steward necessitates that we take any measure we can to manage the ecosystem around us. Howard County prides itself on being environmentally conscious in our practices. As environmental stewards it is our responsibility to act effectively in managing the ecosystem around us. Whether it be planting trees as a riparian buffer along our streams or reducing the amount of trash that ends up in our waterways, we consistently show that we are capable of being good stewards. As such, it is our duty to take additional measures with respect to the management of our deer population that we may do right by our native plant life, other animals, and our residents. I urge you to support a reduction of the archery safety zone in Howard County from 150 yards to 50 yards.