[BCNnet] better habitat coming in DuPage

[bobolnk@ix.netcom.com]

--------------------
DuPage forests OK more deer culling 
--------------------

By Lynn Van Matre
Tribune staff reporter

November 5, 2003

A controversial deer culling program at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, near Darien,
is likely to be stepped up under a measure approved Tuesday by the DuPage County
Forest Preserve District Commission.

By a 5-2 vote, commissioners affirmed an ordinance that directs forest preserve 
staff to control white-tailed deer populations in district preserves "based
on evidence of damage, population trends, current scientific knowledge and best 
management practices as recognized by wildlife professionals."

Passage of the ordinance, originally adopted in 1992 but more or less overridden
in 1997 when commissioners voted to limit deer kills at Waterfall Glen to 50 animals
a year, effectively lifts cull limits. Earlier this year, commissioners approved
culling an additional 50 white-tails at Waterfall Glen in response to burgeoning
deer populations.

Current staff estimates call for 170 deer to be culled at Waterfall Glen and nearby
Wood Ridge Preserve during the 2003-04 season, which typically begins in December
and ends in March. Cull figures for other preserves have not been made final.

In a presentation last week, district animal ecologist Scott Meister told commissioners
that escalating numbers of deer that are overgrazing were having a negative impact
on plant communities at the preserve.

Though culls take place throughout the district, in recent years Waterfall Glen 
has attracted the attention of animal activists who argue that too many deer are
being taken from the preserve, one of the district's largest.

In a discussion preceding the vote, Commissioner Joseph Cantore described himself
as "on the fence" and said he would like to see quantitative data on ecosystem
problems caused by deer.

Commissioners Marsha Murphy and Wally Brown, both of whom voted against the measure,
also said they would like to see more figures on deer-related damage. But Brent 
Manning, district executive director, said staff findings could be easily quantified
and that the deer management program was "true ecological science."

Deer are killed at night by sharpshooters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Wildlife Services Division. Carcasses are processed into ground venison and provided
to area food banks and pantries.

Representatives of two conservation groups spoke Tuesday in support of the program.

Brook McDonald, chief executive officer of the Naperville-based Conservation Foundation,
said he has observed a decrease in plant diversity in Waterfall Glen as deer herds
have increased.

"I don't know what the right number is, but [culling] 50 deer a year isn't 
working," he said.

Robert E. Fisher, president of the Chicago-area Bird Conservation Network, noted
that deer management was vital to maintain biodiversity.

"We don't want to see our preserves become biological junkyards, populated 
only by overcrowded, starving deer and invasive plants," Fisher said.

Speaking out against the ordinance was environmental activist Linda Painter of unincorporated
Hinsdale, who said Waterfall Glen had been "hit hardest" by culls and 
urged commissioners to vote no on the resolution.


Copyright (c) 2003, Chicago Tribune