Poll: Are You For Dover's Deer Management Program?

Dover's second annual deer culling program began earlier this month in an effort to try and reduce the rate of Lyme disease in the region.

According to the Dover Board of Health Lyme Disease Committee's final report from last year's program: "It should be noted that based on substantial research over the last several years, two surveys of town residents, and a Lyme disease Forum, the Board of Health declared Lyme disease a health threat to the town’s residents. Black-legged ticks, often infected with Lyme disease as a result of first feeding on mouse blood, prefer the white-tailed deer when seeking a larger host. The more deer there are, the higher the chances of Lyme disease spreading to humans."

Last year, 31 hunters culled 19 deer in Dover- 16 does and 3 bucks during the program.

This year the program has adding several new tracts including the Noanet Woodlands and Wylde Woods.

The BOH Lyme Disease Committee believes that there is a correlation between the high population of deer in the area and the high rate of Lyme disease in the region.

However, an article in the Boston Globe in May argues that deer culling programs are not proven to reduce the risk of Lyme disease.

We want to know what you think. Is the Deer Management Program warranted? Do you think it will help reduce the risk of Lyme disease?

Tell us in the comments why you are for or against the program.