Reader angered by urban deer kill

I read in disgust and anger of the yearly sanctioned urban deer kill in Cedar Rapids.

Throughout last winter and currently, I have been watching three deer come to the corn I nightly put out for them. During this bleak season it was warming to see these animals. Until recently, I was privileged to watch a buck, a doe and a yearling come for the corn every evening until two weeks ago. First the buck no longer came, then a few evenings later the doe was gone. Now there is only the yearling that comes to fend for itself.

I do not understand how anyone can purposely put an end to these docile and beautiful being's lives. The argument I have heard in favor of these brutal murders is that the deer would starve otherwise, so let's feed them like the birds. Very few, but thankfully some, citizens do. Another argument is the necessity of providing food for the family. This was true 100 years ago when animals, other than humans, were plentiful. I don't see many underfed people in Iowa.

The deer add so much wonder and enjoyment to the quality of life in Iowa. I hope we can find it in our hearts to preserve what little urban wildlife we have.

Noralee Sherwood

Cedar Rapids