According to the World Population Review, Georgia ranks as the eighth highest populated with white-tailed deer. There are currently around 1.3 million deer populating the state, most of them populating the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions.

White-tailed deer have populated Peachtree City to the point they are considered one of the city’s trademarks. They’re known for eating residents’ gardens and landscapes down to the roots and, during the fall deer season, contribute to car accidents, which can increase the cost of insurance and repairs. Deer are not controlled by any boundaries nor do they have any natural predators to keep their numbers down.

“Council heard from residents about the increase in deer-related accidents and other concerns in Peachtree City. City council meetings discussions included collisions, overgrazing, habitat degradation, ordinance changes, authorized hunting, a drone analysis and other potential solutions,” City Council Representative Laura Johnson said.

After getting that feedback, the Peachtree City Council decided to launch a new deer hunting program to control deer populations in suburban areas and allows for bow and arrow hunting only on city-owned property within the Flat Creek Greenbelt. The hunting perimeters will be divided into 250-yard sections and sessions will be two days long. The program started on September 13 and will continue until November 30.

“I  do think [the deer overpopulation] is a danger and a safety issue in the city. I love to see them when I’m going on walks, but anytime I’m driving I’m definitely keeping an eye out,” Peachtree City resident Jenny Dingler said.

Lila Langabeer, a senior at McIntosh, agrees with the plan.

“The population of deer in Peachtree City is really high because there are no natural predators for them, so I think it’s a good idea,” Langabeer said.

The Flat Creek Nature Area Greenbelt is nearby Lake Peachtree, and while deer hunting will only be permitted in that wooded area, there are still relevant concerns about resident safety. 

“Whether it’s safe depends on the area. If it is just one place that’s fine, but if it’s everywhere there should still be signs,” senior Eliana Pearson said.

However, another senior, Eliana Pearson, disagrees.

“I don’t think that [hunting is] very safe. I also don’t think we need the program that much. Yes, there are a lot of deer, but there’s gonna be a lot of deer either way,” Pearson said.