Attention Friends of the Deer at the former Seneca Army Depot
Please be aware that feeding of the deer within the fence at the former Seneca Army Depot is frowned upon by both Seneca White Deer and the Army Corps of Engineers. Not only is this frowned upon but it is also illegal under NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Law. Why is feeding deer not a good idea?
First, the deer lose their fear of humans and can become “domesticated” which is not a good situation. This domesticated situation could lead to a far greater problem known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is generally known to occur when deer congregate as in an artificial feeding situation, i.e. people feeding the deer through a fence. The deer, not humans, can transmit the disease and the chances of this occurring are greater when deer congregate.
CWD is not a problem for humans but can be devastating for the deer as the current practice for eliminating the disease, only found one time in New York State, is to kill all the deer within a geographical area which in this case could mean ALL the deer within the Depot fences. No one wants this to happen. While this situation is unlikely to happen, why increase the probability by feeding the deer?
A second problem with feeding the deer within the fence at the former Depot is that you are trespassing when you leave the highway area and walk up to the fence. Trespassing is now being enforced, so a word to the wise should be sufficient. Don’t walk on to the Depot property.
Help Seneca White Deer protect the world’s largest herd of white, whitetail deer. Use good judgment and make wise decisions to insure the future health of this unique herd of deer so that future generations can also enjoy seeing them..
Thank you.
Dennis Money
President, Seneca White Deer Inc.