This is real. AND actually the 2nd survey they felt was necessary on this extremely pressing problem. And its length is exceeded only by its stupidity. I accidentally attended a "block" party where the captain is my neighbor two houses down, who also happens to be the leader of the Deer Problem Committe and actually told of the story of at least two "aggressive" deer "staring him down". I shiat you not. Apparently, my comments were too negative for them to print.


1. Question: How many Town Hall meetings sound right to you?
One: 64 instances
Two: 80 instances
Three: 57 instances
More than Three: 21 instances

2. Question: How frequently should they be held?

Here's the breakdown of the instances into the specified time periods:
Monthly: 57 instances
Bi-Monthly: 12 instances (Every 2 months: 12 instances)
Quarterly: 75 instances
Bi-Quarterly: 29 instances (Twice a year: 29 instances)
Semi-Annual: 22 instances
Annually: 34 instances
Bi-Annually: 9 instances (2 times a year: 9 instances)
Weekly: 1 instance (1/week during a month: 1 instance)
Never: 8 instances (None: 4 instances, Never: 1 instance, None - this is stupid: 1 instance, This meeting should not happen.: 1 instance, Leave that up to TPWD and the Board: 1 instance)
Other/Not Clear: 46 instances (Every other month: 3 instances, Every three weeks: 1 instance, Once every two to three years: 1 instance, Every other month maybe?: 1 instance, Depends: 1 instance, 1-2 times year: 1 instance, 2 twice a year: 1 instance, Monthly. Then after data is collected, report findings to the community: 1 instance, I answered more than three since this seems to be going through 2025: 1 instance, This number is stupid.: 1 instance, Now, once counting has finished, before actions are implemented: 1 instance, As needed???: 1 instance, At least one per year.: 1 instance, I selected 3, but my answer is really three to four, held quarterly.: 1 instance)
Note: Some responses might be subjective or ambiguous, and they have been categorized as "Other/Not Clear."

3. Question: How can the Deer Management Committee make Town Hall meetings relevant to you?

Transparency and Communication:
Openly transparent assessment of deer population
Unbiased and realistic answers
Quick and easy communication, avoiding lengthy meetings
Listening to residents, suggesting solutions, and allowing opinions
Use of Zoom for communication
Expert Involvement:
Involvement of Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) experts
Presenting TPWD experts instead of relying on neighbors' opinions
Certified TPWD research biologist analysis of deer population
Data and Facts:
Providing relevant data to back up plans
Proposing multiple science-backed solutions
Offering facts, answering questions directly
Avoiding opinions from biased sources
Deer Population Management:
Discussing options to reduce deer population
Exploring humane and non-lethal alternatives
Considering birth control as an option
Seeking information on what other communities are doing
Community Engagement:
Encouraging resident participation
Allowing open responses instead of closed surveys
Holding town hall meetings to gather diverse opinions
Ensuring equal time for supporting and opposing views
Information Dissemination:
Publishing meeting minutes and Q&A for residents
Emailing updates to residents
Providing educational information on deer
Including information on deer-resistant plants
Risk and Impact Assessment:
Discussing how residents are impacted by deer overpopulation
Addressing concerns about potential harm to residents
Public Perception and Communication:
Managing potential divisiveness in the community
Addressing doubts about survey results
Clarifying reasons behind the deer issue
Ethical Considerations:
Ensuring humane action in managing deer population
Discussing the ethical treatment of deer
Considering residents who enjoy having deer in the neighborhood
Decision-Making Process:
Proposing a clear plan of action
Including expert input in decision-making
Providing information on actions taken and progress
Resident Concerns:
Addressing concerns about deer feeding
Considering residents who love having deer in the neighborhood
Acknowledging residents' opinions and preferences
Cost Considerations:
Discussing the range of costs associated with deer management
Considering short-term and long-term actions with and without expense
Wildlife Conservation:
Promoting coexistence and responsible stewardship of wildlife
Involving experts in wildlife management and conservation
Protest and Controversy Anticipation:
Anticipating potential protests and controversies
Informing residents of potential consequences of decisions
Meeting Organization:
Structuring meetings with specific subjects
Allowing residents to make presentations on specific subjects
Time-boxing and focusing on specific topics per meeting

4. Question: Is there anything else you would like to hear from TPWD?
General Deer Population Information:
[ol]

Health of the HMR deer population.

Comparisons with other communities.

TPWD's assessment of HMR deer population.

[/ol]Deer Control and Management: Strategies for reducing deer population.
[ol]

TPWD's recommendations based on science.

Impact of feeding on deer behavior.

Methods of population control.

Effects of deer overpopulation on safety.

Measures to keep roadways safe for both deer and drivers.

Information on deer-borne illnesses, especially Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

[/ol]Community Engagement: Educating residents on not feeding wildlife.
[ol]

Public meetings and presentations on deer management.

Suggestions or options for deer control in a suburban community.

Handling differing opinions on deer population.

[/ol]Environmental Impact and Stewardship: Impact of deer on landscape and vegetation.
[ol]

Stewardship and coexistence with wildlife.

[/ol]Wildlife Conservation: Views on deer as a feature of HMR.
[ol]

Preserving and living harmoniously with wildlife.

Positive and negative aspects of deer populations in suburban communities.

[/ol]Specific Requests: Hiring TPWD for an assessment and corrective actions.
[ol]

Swift options for relocating deer.

Non-lethal methods for lowering deer population.

Cost and methods of birth control for deer.

TPWD's plans for population management.

[/ol]Safety and Ethics: Dealing with injured or deceased deer responsibly.
[ol]

Safety concerns related to deer aggression.

Ethical considerations in deer management.

[/ol]Cost and Resource Allocation: Costs associated with various deer management methods.
[ol]

Allocation of resources for community initiatives.

[/ol]Community-Specific Information: Comparison with similar communities in Magnolia.
[ol]

Sustainable population and current deer population in HMR.

HMR's uniqueness in terms of wildlife.

[/ol]Potential Challenges and Alternatives: Challenges in reducing the deer population.
[ol]

Alternatives to deer culling.

[/ol]Remember, these themes can be adjusted based on the specific context of your community. It's essential to prioritize and structure your questions for a more effective discussion.

5. Question: Your Thoughts on the Deer Management Committee Status Update (Survey Results) - November 2023 Edition

Here's a quantification of the sentiments expressed in the provided text:
Positive: 24
Survey looks good: 1
helpful: 1
Interesting information. Thanks for providing the feedback summary: 1
it was a good article: 1
Two thumbs up! : 1
Decisive in my opinion. Deer population should not continue to grow unchecked: 1
I found the updates helpful: 1
Good info: 1
Great - informative: 1
Good and interesting information was provided: 1
Good job: 1
yes: 1
great: 1
Great information: 1
I have saw thte results: 1
was good to read: 1
Good info: 1
Appreciate work and recognition of issue: 1
Appreciate the transparency: 1
Good report on survey results. Good analysis and explanations: 1
Good Information: 1
Very good information. I appreciated the explanation of the process: 1
great: 1
I liked it and thought it was very informative: 1
great: 1
Neutral: 13
Doesn't solve the problem: 1
"the survey asked questions in a way that didn't allow me to express my concerns at all.": 1
Interesting: 1
Not very informative: 1
Informative, yet no real solutions: 1
None: 1
Valuable information but nothing definitive: 1
? : 1

Not enough info for me. I don't think that decisions on the life of deer can be made at this time. We need more info. and a count which may be a difficult undertaking: 1

No comment: 2
vague: 2
Informative: 1
Negative: 11
"I don't think we have a deer problem. Have the negative Nancy's move to the city if they don't like deer. Please have another survey to include all HMR.": 1

The reponse is too slow, looking at 2025, not acceptable. Action is needed immediately: 1
Don't care: 1
Very disappointed in the neighborhood for even discussing the issue: 1
Flawed survey because nobody is qualified: 1
The survey seemed very skewed with a very high response rate from one section and low response rate from every other section. It looks like the residents in that area are driving this "initiative" where others don't really see this as a problem: 1

Stupid: 1
Survey did not reveal anything new about the population. It only demonstrated that many people thought that the deer population was exploding: 1

Interesting, but not really helpful. People with big lots don't seem to care if the deer are overpopulated. People with smaller lots, or less overall vegetation and more to lose do care: 1

Not valid once you remove some of the results: 1
It is incomplete, There was only discussion on one of the 4 questions: 1
Mixed/Neutral and Negative: 3
Based on deer committee opinions made of people in our community not science so I don't take it for fact: 1

"I did not respond to the initial survey because it limited responses to push us in a certain direction. There needs to be more options or free form fields in future surveys.": 1

The hazards of corn feeding to the deer, the problem with wasting disease in Texas white-tail deer, deer ticks and Lyme disease, how deer change behavior when living in a neighborhood: 1

6. Question: Thought son the article Don't Take Deer Management into Your Own Hands" - December 2023 Edition

Here's a quantification of the sentiments expressed in the provided text:
Positive: 31
Yes, I have read: 1
helpful: 1
Good information on how to deal with injured and dead animals: 1
it was a good article: 2
More useful: 1
Two thumbs up with applause! : 1
Agree we need a community approach: 1
Yes: 1
Agree: 1
Good advice: 1
Good information: 2
Good information on the three topics communicated: 1
Good article: 1
"ok common sense ": 1
Keep info coming: 1
Perfect: 1
Agree: 1
Allow each homeowner one deer per acre harvest per year: 1
informative and relevant: 1
A lot of useful information: 1
This was useful information: 1
informative: 1
Compassionate and informative: 1
Good Job: 1
Agreed: 1
Good: 1
yes: 1
Great information: 1
Relevant: 1
Good reminders on regulations. Good information regarding the most common questions. Adding contact info for game wardens, TPWD, and Constable's office very useful: 1
Good Information: 2
Interesting: 1
I thought it was informative: 1
Good advice: 1
I don't recall this one: 1
Thumbs up: 1
Correct: 1
Very important article: 1
I enjoyed reading that article: 1
Thumbs up: 1
Good Article: 1
Neutral: 13
No need for this, in my opinion: 1
Agree but would like to: 1
Have not read this article yet: 2
Agree we need a community approach: 1
Very few if any options. If there was an option to take the issue into my own hands, I would: 1
No input: 1
Didn't read: 3
Didn't see it: 2
A total waste of paper and ink: 1
Negative: 5
No need for this, in my opinion: 1
Frivolous, and mostly unhelpful. Been thru several dead deer, no one helps you except the buzzards. We tried to bury a 100 lb buck the first year, too hard for old people!: 1
A total waste of paper and ink: 1
useless: 1
Stupid: 1
Mixed/Neutral and Negative: 1
"ok common sense ": 1
It's essential to note that the categorization is subjective, and interpretations may vary.

7. Question: Suggestions for Upcoming Articles

Here's a summary of the main themes and requests:
[ol]

Traffic Safety:

[/ol][ol]

• Slowing down the speed in the neighborhood to avoid fatal accidents involving deer and people.

[/ol][ol]

Feeding and Population Management:

[/ol][ol]

• Stressing the importance of not feeding deer.
• Providing ongoing status updates on deer population.

[/ol][ol]

Property Protection:

[/ol][ol]

• Strategies to protect property from deer, such as using repellents like Liquid Fence.
• Addressing the impact of chronic wasting disease on HMR deer.

[/ol][ol]

Community Opinions and Surveys:

[/ol][ol]

• Gathering opinions on having deer in the neighborhood.
• Understanding the community's perspective on the deer population.
• Exploring how other subdivisions handle deer overpopulation.

[/ol][ol]

Deer Behavior and Safety:

[/ol][ol]

• Safety tips for walking during rut season.
• Guidelines for dealing with dead deer on the property.
• Instructions for handling encounters with deer, especially during birthing seasons.

[/ol][ol]

Practical Information:

[/ol][ol]

• Venison recipes, tanning, and taxidermy classes.
• Solutions for helping injured deer.
• Tips to keep deer away from plants.

[/ol][ol]

Deer Management Strategies:

[/ol][ol]

• Exploring different strategies to manage deer populations.
• Considering higher fencing for families with deer control problems.
• Emphasizing the need for a clear plan and action for reducing the deer herd.

[/ol][ol]

Health and Disease:

[/ol][ol]

• Exploring diseases carried by deer.
• Considering the potential health risks associated with deer presence.

[/ol][ol]

Educational Content:

[/ol][ol]

• Educational topics on living with deer.
• Understanding and coexisting with deer in the neighborhood.

[/ol][ol]

Regulation and Enforcement:

[/ol][ol]

• Addressing the enforcement of HOA rules on wildlife preservation.
• Exploring the possibility of penalties for feeding deer.

[/ol][ol]

Community Engagement:

[/ol][ol]

• Encouraging participation and action from the community.
• Organizing Town Hall meetings to discuss deer-related issues.

[/ol][ol]

Research and Data:

[/ol][ol]

• Providing factual information and expert opinions.
• Sharing research on deer behavior and population management.

[/ol][ol]

Community Unity:

[/ol][ol]

• Encouraging unity in addressing the deer issue.
• Understanding and defining the problem collectively.

[/ol][ol]

Coyote Concerns:

[/ol][ol]

• Expressing concerns about coyote counts in the neighborhood.

[/ol][ol]

Sustainability:

[/ol][ol]

• Determining a sustainable population density for the deer herd.

[/ol][ol]

Communication and Transparency:

[/ol][ol]

• Regular updates on committee findings.
• Clear communication on the plan for managing the deer population.

[/ol][ol]

Other Wildlife Issues:

[/ol][ol]

• Addressing issues related to other wildlife, like cats and dogs.
• Understanding the impact of deer feeders on the deer population.

[/ol][ol]

Coexistence and Appreciation:

[/ol][ol]

• Promoting coexistence with wildlife.
• Highlighting the benefits of deer in a suburban setting.

[/ol][ol]

Deer Habits and Life Cycle:

[/ol][ol]

• Understanding the habits and life cycle of deer.

[/ol][ol]

Survey Results Analysis:

[/ol][ol]

• Correcting any disingenuous conclusions from survey analysis.

[/ol][ol]

Legal and Policy Aspects:

[/ol][ol]

• Understanding Texas law concerning deer.
• Considering the HOA by-law on wildlife preservation.

[/ol][ol]

Relocation and Hunting:

[/ol][ol]

• Investigating the feasibility of capturing and relocating deer.
• Discussing the possibility of controlled hunting to manage the deer population.

[/ol][ol]

Trash Management:

[/ol][ol]

• Negotiating with garbage collection companies for better rates.

[/ol][ol]

Positive Examples:

[/ol][ol]

• Sharing success stories from other neighborhoods.
• Highlighting positive impacts of deer management.

[/ol][ol]

Community Division:

[/ol][ol]

• Addressing concerns about community division over deer management.

[/ol][ol]

Requests for Clear Plans:

[/ol][ol]

• Seeking a clear plan for deer management in HMR.
• Asking for a transparent and actionable plan.

[/ol][ol]

Wildlife Awareness:

[/ol][ol]

• Educating residents about the wildlife and its cohabitation with humans.

[/ol][ol]

Traffic Safety and Animal Awareness:

[/ol][ol]

• Reminding people of their responsibility when hitting a deer.
• Emphasizing the potential for disease outbreaks due to deer ticks.

[/ol][ol]

Prevention of Costs and Complications:

[/ol][ol]

• Exploring ways to reduce the deer population without significant costs.

[/ol][ol]

Diversity of Topics:

[/ol][ol]

• A wide array of topics ranging from disease prevention to recipe sharing.

[/ol]This summary covers the diverse perspectives and suggestions provided by the community, showcasing the complexity and multifaceted nature of the issue.

We live in the same subdivision… sorta. We're immediately adjacent. Ours didn't participate in the survey.

Fair Oaks Ranch did a similar deer study. They didn't put out the raw data. I still believe they cooked the results to not get rid of the deer.

Every time I leave out the back way, I mumble under my breath "Village Scum"

Howdy, Neighbor!

You want a short cut to control deer populations and their destructiveness? Population reduction through professional hunting. No other way is effective. Ask Lakeway, TX.

Win At Life said:

---

Every time I leave out the back way, I mumble under my breath "Village Scum"

Howdy, Neighbor!

---

We're trying to break into HMR… lots are extremely hard to find. And my husband is picky.

We looked in both. I don't see much of a difference. Is there really enough of a difference to make the move from one to another?

As, beware. We have very aggressive deer! It's a serious safety concern.

Yep- husband did an internship for Austin Water Quality and it was shooting deer to take down the population numbers. The meat was donated to local charities.

Not if we were in our "forever" house. You guys have more leeway with regard to "outbuildings". I think your lots are also bigger. Smallest lots here are 1 acre but I think in HMR they are 2. We're on 1 acre and would probably prefer to be on about 3-4. But not that much difference. I'm not sure why we're separate.

Well at least that roost would keep the skeeters and other critters in check.

Plus free fertilizer for the neighbors

Well that keep the grass green to avoid the HOA violations.