Rock Creek Park

White-trailed deer have both positive and negative effects in Rock Creek Park. Some negative effects include road accidents, destruction of flowers and gardens, public disorder, increased pressure on available space, and exhaustion of vegetation. Nevertheless, some positive impacts include increased local domestic tourism, easy hunting for licensed hunters, and the creation of employment for game rangers.

White-trailed deer have the potential to affect other allied species in the ecosystem. For instance, an increase in the population of White-tailed deer might lead to the migration of other herbivores due to pressure on space and food. Those that are not possible to migrate like the horses might end up having little to no graze space. Therefore, horse owners are likely to face negative implications of the increased population of White-tailed deer and advocate for their control. Also, White-trailed deer have many predators, which might come into the park and prey on other animals like the rabbits. Like horse owners, people who keep rabbits will not like an increase in White-trailed deer’s population.

Some effects spread to the people and businesses in the community. For instance, increased White-tailed deer results in increased deer-hit road accidents. This increases the costs of vehicle repairs or the risk of loss of life. Thus, most drivers would call for control. Business owners are likely to experience public disturbance, such as deer’s intruding restaurants, public golf courses, and similar facilities. While some people may tour the park to see the White-trailed deer – a positive business outcome, others may find it disturbing or out of control since the animals are wild. Lastly, the White-tailed deer will terrorize flowers and gardens owners, thus causing negative effects—such stakeholders are likely to support deer control measures. Nevertheless, the deer species will create employment for more game rangers, which is a positive outcome. Licensed hunters will also have an easy time executing their hunting.