More people killed in deer-related accidents than have drowned at dams

The Department of Natural Resources wants to demolish most of the low-head dams in Iowa. The demolition of the dam at Littleton in Buchanan County is scheduled for next spring. They continue to cite safety as the primary reason to destroy these dams claiming 18 people have drowned at them since 1997. They don't mention how many of these were alcohol related.

Look at these facts concerning the DNR's mismanaged, overpopulated deer herd. In a 16-year period, from 1993-2008, there were more than 124,000 vehicles crashes, more than 9,700 injuries and 73 people killed in deer-related accidents. Approximately 10,000 crash reports are missing from the year 2001 so these figures are lacking additional information. The crash reports from 2009, 2010 and 2011 were unavailable.

In 1993, the deer herd was estimated at 120,789. By 2007, that number had more than tripled to 395,185. Four times more people have been killed in deer-related accidents than have drowned at the dams, yet they would have you believe the dams are more dangerous than their deer herd. Unbelievable.

Merle Wilson

Jesup