Local farmers’ livelihood put in jeopardy by overpopulated deer
MARYLAND – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a new initiative. The goal is to protect farmers’ crops from herds of hungry deer. Farmers and officials say deer are reducing crop yields, and putting their livelihoods in jeopardy.
The new initiative aims to teach deer management techniques, reduce the negative impact of deer overpopulation and losses caused by deer eating crops. It was developed after farmers expressed concerns about the ongoing issue last year during the MDA’s Deer Summit.
“They will go into that corn field and rip the ear right off the corn,” said Worcester County farmer Virgial Shockley.
Farmers on the Eastern Shore say they have been waiting for deer control initiatives to address the growing populations of deer, and eating several bushels of corn and soybeans from farmland.
“Crops are completely consumed by deer, to the point where farmers are considering not farming on some of the best soil in the country,” said MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks.
Some farmers have been trying new farming methods, including planting of buffer crops. The idea is to sacrifice a certain number of crops for the deer to eat, so that they do not consume cash crops. However, that practice is sometimes not enough.
“The population of deer has grown to an extent where some farmers are losing 60% to 80% of their crop on an annual basis, just due to the localized herds of deer,” Secretary Atticks said.
Shockley says two deer can eat up as much as ten bushels of product. Herds are much larger, than jus two animals, and can wipe out the majority of a harvest in one day. “We need a new group of hunters, which means the younger population,” Shockley said.
Secretary Atticks says the MDA is working with DNR to try to link very skilled hunters with farmers that are having these problems, and also work with local processors and local food banks. Some farmers are already touting how venison can help in that mission.
“I donate to a church, the church has a guy who grinds [the venison] all up, passes it all out, and gets it to the church,” Shockley said.
Using all parts of the deer should be a must for hunters, as Shockley emphasized that hunting any animal and leaving it for waste is unsportsmanlike. He said doing so also gives hunters a “bad name.”
“Use the food and put it to a good purpose,” Shockley said. “Use it yourself, or donate it to someone that will.”
Shockley also says he has seen more women get into hunting after purchasing weapons for self defense.
Farmers also say that teaching hunting techniques and safety tips to the youth can help address deer control and focusing on hunting doe, instead of buck, will limit the amount of deer being born.
