Editorial

POSH SUBURB LOOKING FOR DEER SOLUTIONS

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The residents of the upscale St. Louis suburb of Town and Country, Mo., have more to worry about this holiday season than the neighbor's Christmas party.

The town is overrun with deer.

While the sight of deer in the neighborhood is exciting to some, it's irritating to motorists who have run into a deer. And the animals trample the lush lawns and gardens.

Town and Country is doing a catch-and-release program for the third year with mixed results. Some of the animals die of stress during the relocation or are hit by cars after they reach their new homes in state forests.

The situation has touched off a tussle between the "deer huggers" and "deerslayers" -- those who like the program and those who think it's overpriced and ineffective. Wildlife officials will have to continue to work with residents to find the best solution.