Managing Peachtree City’s Deer Population

When my brother Michael was a senior at McIntosh High School, he was always late. From my homeroom overlooking the student parking lot, I’d watch his white Mazda 323 hatchback whip into a spot just as the tardy bell rang. He’d then jog across the pavement with just enough effort to avoid detention.

But one day, the bell rang, and there was no sign of him. No reckless driving. No half-hearted running. Something felt off.

A few periods later, I ran into Michael in the hallway. When I asked why he was unusually late, he looked visibly shaken. 

“I hit two deer at the same time on the way in.”

Unsure how to respond, I followed him to the parking lot. The Mazda still ran, but the body damage told a gory story. I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say the hood wasn’t white anymore.

Judging by the number of deer I’ve seen along the roadside over the years, my brother’s run-in with nature is far from unusual — and the data backs it up. A recent Peachtree City report identified more than 200 locations with deer-related collisions since 2022. Fourteen locations had at least five incidents. The northern intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Interlochen Drive topped the list with nine reported accidents.

To address this ongoing issue, City Council held a work session on November 7th to explore responsible solutions for managing our local deer population. Guest presenter Emily Rapach, a wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), shared insights into why suburban areas like Peachtree City face challenges with deer and outlined tools to address the problem.

According to Rapach, Peachtree City’s suburban setting provides the perfect habitat for deer with its abundant food, ample greenspaces, and few natural predators. Unfortunately, this environment has led to overpopulation, resulting in frequent deer-vehicle collisions and property damage.

“In urban areas, predators and disease simply aren’t enough to keep deer populations under control,” she said. She then emphasized that human intervention is essential to address the issue effectively.

What Are Our Options?

Understandably, many people might prefer non-lethal population management such as fertility control or relocating deer. However, Rapach explained that Georgia law prohibits these methods, and trials elsewhere have shown them to be largely ineffective. Fertility control fails to significantly reduce populations on its own, and relocation stresses the animals and risks transmitting disease. 

As a result, Rapach promoted “lethal control” as the most effective approach.

One specific option she strongly recommended is implementing an urban archery program. This method, already in use in Forsyth County and Fort Yargo State Park, involves hunters shooting from elevated positions to ensure arrows safely hit the ground. At Fort Yargo, the program has been credited with reducing deer-vehicle collisions by 57%.

For Peachtree City, implementing urban archery would require thorough planning. The DNR could assist neighborhoods in identifying suitable greenspaces, establishing hunter safety and training guidelines, and determining how many deer could be harvested. Rapach also stressed that hunters would need property owners’ permission to hunt or retrieve game.

City Council members were receptive to the idea of urban archery but requested more information before making a decision. They directed City Manager Justin Strickland to collaborate with the DNR and USDA to gather details on costs, logistics, and safety measures. Mayor Kim Learnard also suggested partnering with neighboring areas, such as Fayette County and Tyrone, to approach deer management on a regional scale.

Would Bow Hunting Be Safe In Peachtree City?

The idea of bow hunters perched in our trees to hunt deer might sound dangerous. However, similar programs in other areas have proven remarkably safe. Consider these key facts:

• No Reported Injuries To Non-Hunters: In Georgia, there has never been a reported case of a bow hunter injuring another person in similar programs.
• Most Injuries To Hunters Are Falls: 92% of archery hunting injuries involve falls from tree stands. The remaining 8% are self-inflicted injuries.
• Archery Hunting Has A Low Injury Rate: The injury rate for archery hunting is 0.58 per 1,000 participants. By comparison, basketball’s injury rate is significantly higher at 7.67 per 1,000 participants.

What’s Next?

Deer management is a delicate issue that requires balancing safety, community support, and respect for Peachtree City’s unique character. While I would prefer a non-lethal option, urban archery may offer a safe and effective method for addressing our overpopulation. Regardless of what City Council ultimately decides, I’m glad our leaders are actively pursuing a solution (even though it is too late to save my brother’s Mazda).

This issue remains under discussion, and your input can help shape the outcome. Share your thoughts with city leaders by emailing citycouncil@peachtree-city.org.

Also, if you found this information helpful and have another topic you’d like me to explore, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your suggestions at editor@thecitizen.com.