DURHAM - Duke Forest, the sylvan refuge for joggers, nature lovers, bird-watchers and environmental researchers, will soon become a firing range.
In recent years, some parts of Duke University's 7,000-acre forest have been plagued by an overpopulation of white-tailed deer. With nearly four months of controlled hunts on four of the six sections of the forest, Duke hopes to thin the herd.
"This is being done legally; this is being done with a lot of thought based on what we think is good science," said Judson Eideburn, the forest's resource manager. "We're not acting like the Lone Ranger or that sort of thing."
On Mondays through Thursdays from Sept. 15 through Dec. 30, Duke Forest's Durham, Eno, Hillsboro (forest maps still use the old spelling) and Blackwood divisions will be closed to recreation. Designated hunters from two selected clubs will be allowed on the properties to take aim at the woodland creatures that have been foraging through forest research areas, devouring almost all vegetation in their path.
"They've just eaten it all in some places -- anything from 4 feet high down. There's nothing left," Eideburn said. "They're even eating eastern red cedar."
For more than 75 years, Duke Forest has been a living laboratory for students interested in forestry studies and environmental and ecological sciences. The property, with tracts in Durham, Orange and Alamance counties, offers a variety of forest covers, plant species, soils, topography and wildlife to study.
Several years ago, forest overseers collected data that showed as many as 80 deer per square mile in some parts of the forest. Wildlife resource officials, Eideburn said, recommend no more than 20 deer per square mile.
Much to many hunters' dismay, Eideburn would not divulge the names of the hunting groups that will cull the herds. But he stressed that the efforts would be administered under guidelines issued by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
Bow and gun hunting will be allowed on the Blackwood, Eno and Hillsboro divisions. The Durham Division, just west of the university campus off N.C. 751, will be open for bow hunting only.
In some neighborhoods near the forest, deer are considered pests that trample flower beds, chew up vegetable gardens and wreak havoc on landscaped yards. Not many complaints have bubbled up from there.
"I have so many deer in my yard I think it's good to get the herd down a little," said Tom Kirby, a Durham resident who also runs through the forest on weekends with the Carolina Godiva Track Club.
As president of the running club, though, Kirby hopes to get the word out about the trail closings during the week. He worries that some people who come into the forest through nontraditional routes might miss the warnings posted at the head of major trails.
Kathy Rudy, a professor of ethics and women's studies at Duke, said she has mixed feelings about the hunts.
"The problem is that deer have no predators, and we've kind of put an imbalance in their ecosystem," Rudy said.
The topic has been fodder for her students. "We've talked a little bit about hunting already and hunting for sustenance," Rudy said. "If you think hunting is right, then this is the most sort of conscientious way to do."
What troubles her is that the hunting will go on for months.
"I can't imagine that somebody couldn't go in there in two or three days and do what they need to do," Rudy said.
Hunters who have not been invited to participate in the thinning said there could be some big bucks in the forest.
"The idea," Eideburn said, "is to basically go after the doe population. But the hunters can take bucks per the hunting laws."
DETAILS OF THE HUNT
Hunting will begin in Duke Forest Sept. 15 and end Dec. 30.
Duke Forest managers say nearby landowners have been notified. Notices will be posted at entrances to the affected forest divisions.
No hunting will be allowed Friday through Sunday or on holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas or New Year's Day.
Deer meat will go either to the hunters themselves or to the Hunters for the Hungry program.
The Korstian and Dailey divisions of the Forest will remain open during the hunting period.
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