Working at an ecology center, it probably comes as no surprise when we share that staff, volunteers, students and teachers enjoy our chance encounters with white-tailed deer. But that might not be the case for many members of the greater St. Louis county area. The suburban white-tailed deer population is growing! Our gardens and shrubs provide a 24-hour buffet and they have no predators—unless you take into account their apparent death-wish as they dash onto streets into oncoming traffic. In addition to our challenges of sharing space with a growing number of deer, an overabundance of deer can also have negative effects on the health and well-being of these magnificent creatures.

The response of some cities to the increasing deer population has been to allow managed deer hunting – usually by archery and crossbow.  A January 2016 count of deer in Ladue had shown about 43 per square mile. With the recommendation of the Missouri Department of Conservation, the City of Ladue (where Litzsinger Road Ecology Center is located) passed an ordinance in 2016 allowing such a deer hunt. During the 2016–17 season, 49 deer (34 does and 15 bucks)  were harvested in Ladue. While hunting is not allowed at Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, several of our adjoining neighbors have made their property available to hunters. As we begin a second season of deer hunting (September 15–January 15) in the City of Ladue, we encourage you to read through the following resources that explain the benefits of deer hunting in suburban areas such as ours.

From the City of Ladue: City of Ladue Ordinance

From Missouri Department of Conservation: Suburban Whitetails (2017) and Winning with Whitetails (2015)

From the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry Forest Service, U.S. Dept of Agriculture: Impacts of White-Tailed Deer Overabundance in Forest Ecosystems: An Overview (2008)