Horseshoe Bay trapping deer for processing to control numbers
Horseshoe Bay is reducing its white-tailed deer population through a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department trap, transport, and process permit, aiming to curb growing public safety hazards created by the overabundance of animals.
“The objective is to lower the number of deer in the community to support a healthier herd,” Police Chief Jason Graham told DailyTrib.com.
He explained that maintaining a healthier deer population reduces the risk of disease, limits vegetation damage, and decreases the chance of vehicle accidents.
To achieve this, the city set up four high-walled pens at different sites that are monitored and baited with food to lure deer. Once trapped, the animals are transported to a processing site, where they are killed and the venison is donated to local food pantries.
“This is not a new issue statewide,” Graham said of white-tailed deer overpopulation.
The chief emphasized the urgency of controlling disease within the herd to mitigate health risks to the public, as certain diseases carried by deer, such as chronic wasting disease and Tuberculosis, potentially pose a threat to humans.
“With wild animals, you can’t round them up and give them medicine to keep them from getting sick. So when one gets sick, it spreads really quickly,” Graham said.
Furthermore, overpopulation increases the risk of road accidents, which can damage vehicles and physically harm drivers.
“It’s a risk to drivers but also a lot of property damage,” Graham said. “If we can get the number of deer along the roadways down, that decreases the damage to vehicles and other property.”
Alternative population control methods, such as culling the herd with crossbows or rifles, were ruled out due to safety concerns in the densely populated city. Additionally, previous attempts to capture deer with nets drew noise complaints from Horseshoe Bay residents.
“In lowering the risk to the public, we decided to use the pens,” Graham said.
While the trap, transport, and process program can be costly, the chief emphasized it is the best and safest option for the community.
The deer management program typically runs from October through March, as determined by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which also sets target reduction numbers. Graham noted that, while the program had been paused for several years, it resumed successfully last year with an increased need as environmental conditions had changed.
“It’s a very delicate balance of what would be conducive of a healthy herd,” he said. “By eliminating deer, we are just lowering the number so that it sustains their health overall.”
BAN ON FEEDING DEER
While Horseshoe Bay works to reduce its deer population, feeding the animals remains prohibited because it encourages them to stay in the area year-round, especially during drier periods when natural food sources are scarce. This can contribute to overpopulation and attract predators, which can also become problematic. Additionally, foods like corn can be harmful or even deadly to deer, working against the goal of maintaining a balanced and healthy herd.
Violation of the deer-feeding ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 and possibly a civil penalty of up to $250 a day if the offender was previously notified.
Graham said the Horseshoe Bay Police Department is appreciative of residents’ support for the program and emphasized the city’s openness to input and alternative methods.
“We have such a close relationship with our community, so we welcome feedback from the community,” he said. “We can all do this together to make (the program) more effective.”