The Atlanta metro deer population is prolific, fearless and amorous this time of year. As metro Atlanta grows, the deer population finds itself with a shrinking habitat. Cute as they may be, the white-tailed deer presents more than a few challenges for homeowners and drivers – especially now that deer are actively mating.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, “during the rut (mating season), the desire to breed causes deer to become more active compared to the rest of the year. Bucks move more and become less secretive, making them easier to hunt and more susceptible to being hit by motor vehicles.” [Link: http://georgiawildlife.com/rut-map]
According to State Farm between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 Georgia drivers had a 1 in 122 likelihood of having an auto collision with a deer. Your chances more than double in October, November and December as daylight driving hours decrease and the deer get frisky.
Few natural predators remain in metro suburbs. Foxes present a slight risk to fawns, leaving coyotes as the only major threat to adult deer and a growing concern for families with small pets.
With so few risks, most homeowners have noticed deer coming closer to homes — and their edible landscaping.
Deer hunting is allowed in much of Georgia, but state law prohibits the discharge of a firearm within 50 yards of any public street, road, highway, or on any land without the owner’s consent. This virtually guarantees no one can legally shoot a deer in a metro neighborhood. In addition, cities like Berkeley Lake and Lilburn also prohibit bow hunting.
Enjoying undisturbed nature is why many move outside the perimeter for the wooded neighborhoods where these animals make their home. Watching a doe raise her fawn can be a unique opportunity to observe nature from your backyard deck.
What do you think?
How should the ever-increasing deer population be controlled? Are auto accidents and ruined landscaping part of the price you pay to live further out? Will the deer population naturally move away as their habitats continue to shrink?
Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be edited for length and/or clarity and may be published in print and/or digital platforms.
AT ISSUE: SHOULD SCHOOL DRESS CODES CHANGE WITH FASHIONS?
In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking.
But now, God knows,
Anything goes.
Those lyrics from the Cole Porter song “Anything Goes,” are as appropriate today as they were in 1934 when they were penned. But school systems struggle with allowing students the freedom of expression while trying to maintain decency. A group of Atlanta Public School students have signed a petition to allow leggings as part of accepted dress. Parents, teachers and administrators are divided and are working on a solution. Should a girl’s comfort take precedent over the distraction clingy spandex may provoke in the classroom?
Here’s what some readers had to say:
The current dress code should stand. Legs should be covered to an appropriate length. Buttocks need to be covered. — No Name
I just reviewed [At Issue] my 17 year old son who attends Maynard Jackson High School:
Yes, leggings are O.K.
No, he does not find them a distraction.
He says the distraction for him happens in class, when a student is pulled from class for wearing the leggings, thus interrupting instruction.
And regarding uniforms in APS schools, he feels APS should be consistent across the entire district. If there is a uniform dress code, then ALL schools should follow it. If no dress code, then ALL schools have no dress code.
His two cents. — Natalie Rosbottom, Pre-school teacher and stakeholder in the Maynard Jackson HS Cluster
I am appalled at the adults who wear leggings as if they are pants. Obviously this is why young girls are doing so. Leggings are not pants. There is nothing left to the imagination when wearing skin-tight leggings. Clearly if wearing leggings, the woman/girl should be covering their bottoms. — C.R.
Spandex is a privilege not a right! Just cuz you can get it on, doesn’t mean you wear it out of the house, unless you’re headed to the gym. Also, high school girls are proud of “their girls” and on many days “they” are on show and thus no need to tell. I’m uncertain as to why guys wear belts, as their intended purpose is no longer used.
So, both genders need to cover their rear ends; girls with shirts to cover the girls and their legging-ed hineys, guys, no tank tops and belts worn as a used item, not a fashion statement. — Sheri Almond
I'm 69 years old and I wear leggings, as do some of my friends. They're comfortable. I suggest that for all students, the dress code be that the torso needs to be covered from the upper chest to four inches above the knee, and the garment(s) should not be skin tight. This allows for leggings, shorts, dresses, skirts, kilts, jeans or other long pants, etc. It's concise, gender-neutral and should address any concerns of modesty. —Nancy Zimmerman
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