Deer take Republic residents under siege

I live near Republic, Wa. and I personally love seeing the deer wander around town. People call them the Town Deer...It is no worse living in Republic then living out of Repulic, if we dont want them in our space then we need to fence them out just like any one in Ferry County. Maybe another alternative is that we should consider why we live here, on their turf and if we don't like it move elsewhere. Afer all this is in the mountains and people keep intruding on the natural habitat for many wildlife species. If we are going to live here then we need to respect them and teach our children to respect them. Not chase them, throw things or sick a dog on them! They are God's creation too-and everything he made is good...I dont know why Republic hasn't taken advantage of the fact the we have deer in or town to draw tourist and money. What about deer island in the Florida Keys!!! and they make money from it. Keep our town alive and authentic to go with the theme of Republic. "Come visit the town of Republic" "With the feel of the old west, a victorian mining town, dig for fossils, Music Fests, trailrides, fishing, canoeing, swimming and camping, or whatever suits your fancy and the "TOWN DEER WILL GREET YOU."

you live near town... that's not the same as living IN town. The town 'herd' is a problem. Do you find it enjoyable to have 20 deer in your yard eating your expensive flowers, trees, and shrubs? DO you like deer droppings covering your sidewalk and yard? How about shooing deer out of your drive way just so you can take the trash out or get into your car? Do you like all the lovely 'deer' fencing everyone has put up to deal with them? Everyone is living boxed in yards and homes because the deer are a BIG PROBLEM. Ever consider that? I lived in town for 23 yrs and the last three yrs in town were awful. It doesn't help when you have neighbors feeding them white bread.. Does that sound like the natural diet of a mule deer? Don't think so. People should know it's just plain stupid.

The next time you are actually in town.. get a good look at the deer. THey are sick, they are beat up and broken from traffic, and all it takes is one pissed off buck or doe and someone else's dog is killed or worse, a child.

I lived in town for 6 yrs before I moved to the country and I have had more than 20 deer in my yard, and yes they have ate my pretty flowers, trees and shrubs,that I had to hand carry water to and baby to keep alive because we didnt have a well for a while. And yes they did eat my lettuce and raspberry bushes, but...I didnt have a fence up!!! My responsibility! The free range cattle and neighbors horse and dogs have been in my yard and ate things too. It's our responsibility to fence them out and if we don't, suffer the consequences...as for the deer droppings they make good fertilizer, and as far as shooing them out of my drive way? When I visit my daughter who lives in town, I have never had to shoo them away, they just leave. I am more concerned about shooing away the neighbors dogs who come over and leave there signs behind. And I have seem some pretty nice fences in town, that people have put up, to keep deer out. I cannot control what they look like, thats up to the people and is the same in the country. If you feel boxed in your home or yard then its up to you to do something about that!! Everyone?? Maybe you need to consider that? I have lived in Republic and outskirts for many years, came here in 1978. And I agree, feeding them white bread is not a good idea let alone healthy for them. But it is pretty hard I would think, for a mule deer or white tail deer to know the difference between eating from an apple tree along side the road verses one in someones open yard.
As far as a buck or doe being pissed off: and the safty of pets or children, I have seen dogs attack fawns and children throw rocks at them.
We need to be more concerned for our childrens sakes, about the wild drinking parties next door, crystal meth labs down the street, and perverts moving back in Ferry County causing deaths!!!
And as far as being in Republic, I am there many days out of the week taking care of my grand children so my daughter can work and go to college. And I still love the "Town Deer". We teach our children that they suffer the consquences of their actions: "Its no different for Adults" Why should we be exempt?

I live in town and have for close to 25 yrs. Raised my kids here .I feed the deer and have no problems with them.I have dogs and haven't had a problem with them co-existing. My yard is very nice,I have flowers that I end up sharing with the deer but I don't mind to me it comes with living here in this little mountain town! I think as the post-er before me isn't there a whole lot of other things that need to be a priority? Just so nice to be able to say " yes kiddos we are going to sit here and wait for the deer to cross"! LOL