DURHAM - Teddie Brown has noticed a difference in the number of four-legged visitors that used to visit her Tyndrum Drive home -- and she's quite happy about it.

Since September, bow and gun hunters have been killing deer in four of Duke Forest's six sections. The hunting is scheduled to end today.

Brown still sees the same number of deer congregate at the end of her street, but not near her home, where as many as 14 would show up.

"I just don't see them in the huge packs they used to be," Brown said.

Forest officials estimate about 200 deer live in the sections that are being used for the hunt, said Marissa Hartzler, forest program coordinator. She thinks at least 50 deer have been killed so far.

A similar effort in 2006 had minimal success because it only focused on two sections.

With just over 7,000 acres of land, Duke Forest is spread out through Durham, Orange and Alamance counties. A 2005 population survey recorded as many as 80 deer per square mile. Wildlife officials recommend no more than 20 per square mile.

Overpopulation has caused the deer to eat anything under four feet, which has led to food shortages, Hartzler said.

The loss of vegetation makes it difficult for Duke University students to conduct research and study the area's habitat. The university owns the forest, which is often used to study forestry, environmental and ecological sciences.

With a lack of food, the deer become a nuisance to those like Brown who live in the forest. Neighbors say deer often leave behind droppings and chewed- up flowers.

"You see some that are so very desperate for food," Hartzler said. "And they won't venture far from their home range for food. You'll see desperate deer jumping fences."

Hunters are searching for deer in the Durham, Eno, Hillsboro and Blackwood sections, which have been closed to the public.

Bow hunting deer is an activity that takes "a lot of solitude and patience," said Rob Reda, 55, who is not a part of the Duke hunting effort, but has bow hunted for 35 years.

Bow hunting is safe because they often shoot downward while perched on a tree, Reda said.

On average, bow hunters shoot from within 20 yards of their target. Hunters often use the deer meat, which can weigh up to 60 pounds, for food.

"It's quiet, it's safe and effective," Reda said.

Ken Williams, who also lives on Tyndrum Drive, says things have been quieter while walking his dog at night. That's when he would often see about three deer in his front yard. During the day, ticks would cover his body while he worked outside.

"I'm glad Duke did this thinning-out thing," said Williams.