I am sorry to hear of the Chapel Hill Town Council's unwillingness to take action on the deer problem (CHN Oct. 18), though I acknowledge that an urban archery program for the Mt. Bolus neighborhood would be insignificant in addressing an issue of regional proportion.

Deer overpopulation has become a serious problem in the Chapel Hill area. We are seeing unprecedented destruction of ornamental landscapes and natural area's vegetation. In addition to their numbers creating problems for us with vehicle-related accidents, an increase in the spread of tick-borne diseases, and the devastation of our preferred landscape plantings, the deer are eliminating many other forms of wildlife. Birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals, amphibians and many other wild animals are losing food supplies and habitat as deer browse on any and all vegetation within their reach.

With regard to the idea of studying where the deer are coming from and how, let me state that they are here now and they are reproducing at epidemic proportion. A healthy doe will produce twins each year for about 12 years (that's over 1,700 reproducing females in as little as 14 years). Without having to expend much resources avoiding natural predators, deer are rapidly outpacing the natural carrying capacity of their environment. I think that we should start addressing this problem on a county or regional wide level.

Matthew Arnsberger

Piedmont Environmental Landscaping and Design

Carrboro

Editor's note: Although the Police Department recommended the town take no action on deer control, the mayor referred the matter to staff for further consideration.