In Carrboro, don't feed the deer

Don’t feed deer corn.

Some folks in Carrboro are feeding deer corn. At least that’s the word from Greg Kopsch, manager of the Carolina North Forest.

Alderwoman Randee Haven-O’Donnell recently asked town staff if they knew how many deer live in town limits and if there’s anything the town can do to manage them.

In an e-mail, Police Chief Carolyn Hutchison says Town Animal Control Officer Robert Nekoranec spoke with Kopsch, who said the university hires a wildlife expert to hunt deer when the population gets too large. During the last “culling” of the herd in the Carolina North Forest, 18 deer were killed using a firearm.

Kopsch says Carrboro residents living adjacent to the UNC land have mixed reactions to the deer. Some welcome and feed them. Others want to remove all of the deer from the forest. He said from their looks the deer appear tbe eating corn. 

“Apparently, their fur looks mangy when they eat too much corn,” Hutchison writes.

When Nekoranec returns to work Thursday, he plans to contact NC Department of Wildlife personnel to learn of their population control techniques.

As for allowing limited hunting, Hutchison recommends against it.

“I simply cannot imagine how the Town of Carrboro would be able to ensure the safety of our residents and guests if we were to suspend our ordinance to allow the shooting of deer within Town limits,” she writes.