We have lived on Vashon for just a few months. We just hopped over from Seattle, so the move was not far but, of course, it is a world away. When we wake in the morning, we often see deer slowly munching their way across our rolling lawns. Our Bernese Mountain Dog, Marco Polo, has learned to bark at the deer that invade his space, chase them a bit, but he stops at the woods. He is no match for them.

Deer bodies are a reminder of nature’s engineering at its best. Yet, it is clear that the island is over run with these animals. We are told they have no predators except motor vehicles. It is a routine occurrence for these creatures to meet their end on the highway and the byways of Vashon Island.

Despite a small hunting season, the current method of culling the Vashon Island deer overpopulation is death by motor vehicle. Which brings me to the reason I write. We hit a deer this morning on our way to the ferry on our way to the airport. It was pitch dark. The doe bounded in front of the car before we even saw it. Our Volvo made contact. I am left feeling sick inside pondering ideas like life and death, the natural order of the universe and karma. As we drove to the airport, I Googled the scientific research on non-lethal methods for culling populations of deer through contraception. A lot of research has been done; many U.S. communities are using this method, and it is highly effective. Although it costs money to capture, give the deer a contraceptive shot and release, how much does the vehicles-hitting-deer method of culling cost in car repairs, law enforcement time and emotional distress? Maybe it’s time for King County to address the Vashon Island deer overpopulation problem through scientific, evidence-based methods of animal contraception.

— Janice Sabin