Photo Illustration by Robin Mendez, Inset photograph taken by Robert Sheer from a video shot by Nicola and Gary Gordon in 1997.







Deerly Beloved

Toll Gate residents say those who think deer are cute haven't seen the damage they can do

By Jason Baker

To the average animal lover, it might almost seem like a dream--you open your front door at dawn to fetch the paper, slippers on your feet and a cup of coffee in hand, and lock eyes with a half-dozen deer grazing in your yard.

The animals don't bolt in fear--they simply look at you like you've interrupted their breakfast. Never mind the fact that the beasts have made a salad bar of your well-tended garden. The deer don't at all mind the trek down from the hills to dine on your ivy and fruit trees. And they certainly don't mind stripping bare your plants and trampling your flower beds. So what if you've spent hours cultivating and landscaping your yard? Peacefully coexisting with the woodland creatures is what life in the hill country is all about, right?

Several residents in the hills of Saratoga would strongly disagree. The deer, they say, no longer are cute--they are a nuisance. What once was a doe or two grazing in a backyard has become several hungry deer bent on chomping every edible plant in sight. Increased deer numbers also mean an increased possibility of Lyme disease and automobile accidents. The Wildlife Society estimates that about 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions occur nationwide each year. Almost 16,000 people are injured and 200 are killed each year in these accidents.

Bob Warren, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Georgia, said in a recent issue of Field and Stream magazine that communities nationwide seem to be going through the same cycle of problems. Development, he said, drives the animals away from their habitat. Communities then pass laws against discharging firearms within the community limits, putting an end to hunting.

It doesn't take long for wildlife to realize the developments are no longer a threat, and they eventually start moving back in, he said.

But the interloping deer are not alone--they have attracted some hungry carnivorous friends who would like nothing better than to dine on fresh venison. And this has some Saratoga residents worried.

Roy and Carolyn Martin have learned more about hungry predators than they ever wanted to know. On the morning of June 25, the Toll Gate-area residents found what they believed to be the remnants of a kill made by a hillside predator--possibly a mountain lion. While preparing for his morning duties, the couple's gardener discovered the carcass of a fawn lying mangled on the grassy clearing close to a nearby gully. The kill was less than 24 hours old and covered in brambles and brush. There were no visible drag marks to be found. The animal was about 12 pounds, so it was not dragged by a predator, but most likely carried. There was little blood staining the area. The animal's chest and sternum were damaged and its heart and lungs had been eaten. And the fact that no predator remained in sight did little to ease the Martins' concerns.

Multiple calls to Santa Clara County Vector Control and to the California Department of Fish and Game brought no immediate response, the Martins said. Hours later, help did arrive, in the form of Laurie Frazer, a wildlife specialist with county vector control.

While deer and mountain lion incidents normally are state Department of Fish and Game calls, Frazer responded, she said, "to help somebody who needed help. All these people wanted were some simple answers. It's really not our call. We do it as a courtesy sometimes to help out Fish and Game."

Frazer began the search for clues and determined the fawn could have been killed by a bobcat, a mountain lion, a coyote or even hit by a car and dragged by a predator to the spot.

"Whatever ate [the fawn] found it and ate it while it was still alive. The animal put up very little fight," she said. "I definitely believe a skunk, coyote, bobcat or mountain lion could have eaten it."

While canvassing the area, Frazer discovered several clues. The area, she said, contained only one good spot for tracks--a sandy area near the creek draw behind the Martin's property. "There were definite coyote tracks, coyote scat, and small bones of birds that had been killed nearby," she said. She also found something she didn't expect--a large track "the size of the palm of my hand" in the sandy area. The rest of the area, she said, was leaves and brush, a type of terrain that usually does not yield good tracks. "These were awesome tracks--just beautiful. I've never seen anything like them firsthand. I looked at them and said, 'Wow, these could be lion tracks.' "

But finding an animal's tracks and finding the animal are altogether different, she said. "A lot of things about this situation are inconclusive," she said. "I don't see mountain lion tracks every day or even once a year. One track is not something that is going to make me say I saw a lion if I didn't see the lion pulling its paw out of the track. Lions do not follow a textbook. There are more questions about what wasn't there to see than what was there to see. But as I said, they were awesome tracks."


Photograph by Dai Sugano

Laurie Frazer of country vector control checks out the traps she keeps in her truck.




Frazer and Fish and Game representatives later returned to the gully area on several separate occasions but could not pinpoint any mountain lion activity. But the fact remained that something had indeed killed the fawn near the Martins' house, and the couple wanted answers.

And they weren't the only ones. Reports of intrusive coyotes near Pierce Road also have surfaced of late, closely linking the creatures with the disappearance of domestic cats. Many communities report wild animals roaming the streets in populated areas in broad daylight. And as the summer heat persists, residents fear more encounters with hungry animals.

"It was distressing to find an animal killed three feet off our property," Carolyn Martin said. "The neighborhood has definitely changed in the last 20 years. I had a cat for six years--now I don't have a cat anymore. I'm a Realtor, and I never would have bought into an area that had these problems."

Carnivorous animals aren't the only problems, either, she said.

"We now have herds of deer where we occasionally had one or two," she said. "I'm not advocating taking the lion that killed this deer. We just have to do something to keep it at bay. I have seen dead animals before, but this was different. What are we to do?"

The report of a mountain lion possibly roaming Saratoga in search of food became an added chapter in the volume of wildlife problems Gary and Nicola Gordon have encountered. The Gordons said deer have stripped their property on Bankmill Road of its greenery and flowers. The hungry animals have even taken to eating plants prescribed by gardening experts to be "deer resistant", including certain types of ivy long believed to be unattractive to the animals. The destruction has had financial repercussions, they said, as residents are forced to shell out funds to replace the plants and search for techniques to slow the destruction.

"I don't see the value of having the deer on our property," Gary Gordon said. "They bring disease, and they have leveled our landscaping. It's pretty awesome to see a lot once covered with fruit trees and ivy reduced to brown dirt. We would like to see the deer population culled."

Nicola Gordon said current city codes have hampered restricting the animals' access to their property. Codes currently allow for only 3-foot-high fences in front yards and 6-foot-high fences in the back, both of which deer can hurdle.

"Since the [mountain lion] incident, I've been making every effort not to be a nervous wreck working out in the garden. The information we received on surviving in mountain lion country says not to crouch or bend over near the animals. Tell me how I am supposed to garden without bending over? It's a very frightening situation.

"It's also been a very difficult situation because we have been doing all the right things. We're already restricted on what we can plant. What am I going to do, remove everything except the tall trees?"

In response to residents' concerns, city officials organized a meeting of residents and representatives from Fish and Game, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department and county vector control to discuss issues and provide information on coping with four-legged neighbors.

In the case of a reported mountain lion encounter, Lt. Dennis Baldwin of Fish and Game said the normal process for investigating possible predator threats is to take a look at the kill and first try to determine what killed the animal.

"If the kill is on private property (as with livestock) and we are able to determine what killed the animal, we can issue a permit to remove that animal," Baldwin said. "If the animal is determined to be a threat to public safety, we track the animal. But with mountain lions, we have to follow established guidelines. Should we determine to take an animal, it's not an easy situation."


Photograph by Dai Sugano

These deer were captured on film last week as they enjoyed a gourmet tour of Saratoga's Toll Gate area.




Mountain lions live in many different habitats, from deserts to humid Coast Range forests, from sea level to 10,000-foot elevations. But in general, they are most abundant in areas with a plentiful deer population.

In California, mountain lion populations have grown. In 1920, roughly 600 mountain lions lived in the state. Since then, more accurate estimates and field studies placed the population at more than 2,000 in the 1970s. Current population estimates range between 4,000 and 6,000.

According to Fish and Game, about half of California is prime mountain lion country. The large cats lived here long before the arrival of settlers, preying on deer and other wildlife and filling an important place in the ecosystem.

Between 1907 and 1963, the mountain lion was labeled a "bountied predator" with monetary incentives offered for each animal killed. In 1969, the big cats became "game mammals" and in 1990 were classified as "special protected animals." Fish and Game officials said the change reflected a growing public appreciation and concern for the animals.

Mountain lions generally are calm, quiet and elusive. They most often are found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover, conditions that exist in mountain fringes, subdivisions, urban fringes and open spaces. Consequently, the number of encounters between mountain lions and humans has increased.

Fish and Game officials said the increase can likely be attributed to a number of factors: More people moving into mountain lion habitat, an increase in prey populations, including deer, an increase in mountain lion numbers and expanded range, more people using hiking and running trails in mountain lion habitat, and an increased awareness of the presence of mountain lions.

Mountain lions usually hunt alone and at night. Generally, their solitary nature is what makes it possible for humans to live in mountain lion country without ever seeing the animals.

But though encounters with the cats have increased, Fish and Game officials said the potential of being killed or injured is much lower than with other natural hazards. They placed the risk of being struck by lighting as far greater than the risk of being attacked by a mountain lion.

Baldwin said mountain lions may not be killed without special permit authorization. "If we determined it was a mountain lion, it doesn't mean we could do anything anyway. I've seen numerous mountain lions, but I'm not an expert. From what I've seen, I can't say that this was a mountain lion track."

Baldwin said individuals reported 10 to 15 mountain lion incidents in Rancho San Antonio State Park in the Los Altos Hills alone last year.

"We have hundreds of thousands of people in the area, meaning there is more chance that people will see the lions," he said. "I don't think there has been a marked increase in the number of animals in the area. I doubt that there is more than maybe a female and a couple of cubs. I don't think we have 15 to 20 mountain lions in Rancho San Antonio."

According to Fish and Game research, an adult male's home range often spans some 100 square miles, and that of females usually about 20 to 26 square miles. Along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, as many as 10 adult lions may occupy the same 100 square miles.

"That [Saratoga] lion could be clear up over the ridge top and seven to 10 miles away," he said.

Coyotes also seem to be popping up in Saratoga lately. But the California Fish and Game Commission has classified coyotes, unlike mountain lions, as non-game animals, meaning it is not necessary to obtain a permit to kill a coyote. However, a hunting license is required and legal hunting methods must be used in eliminating the animals.

The coyote is a member of the dog family and, like the mountain lion, is native to California. The animals resemble small German shepherds, with the exception of the coyote's long snout and bushy black tail.

Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever sustenance is available. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, as well as young deer and sheep. They also will feed on the carcasses of dead animals.

The problem occurs when humans begin feeding coyotes, either deliberately or inadvertently. Officials believe that many times the coyote are drawn to pet food and garbage left uncovered in urban areas.

As for the excessive number of deer, Baldwin said, the Saratoga situation is not an isolated one.

"Throughout the state, the carrying capacity of areas has increased," he said. "At the same time, hunting, which is something we traditionally relied on to cull the deer population, has decreased. If you look at the hunting records in Santa Clara County, you'll find the number of deer taken has decreased significantly in recent years.

"The problem is also partially attributable to a ready food supply. In Napa County, for example, you'll find that most major vineyards have constructed deer-proof fences. We will always have this problem as long as people keep planting vegetation that is attractive to deer. And unless disease or predators increase, the number of deer in the area will stay at a high level."

Culling the herds is not currently in the scope of Fish and Game plans and procedures, Baldwin said.

"We're not prepared for this. We don't have a program for culling herds that have become too large. It's a very prevalent problem," he said.


Photograph by Dai Sugano

Given the choice between following the city's fencing regulations and protecting their pets from predators, the Toll Gate residents who live on this property chose to keep their pets safe.




Fish and Game suggests residents plant vegetation that has been found to be unattractive to deer. "When deer eat all the available vegetation in their native area, they move down to other areas. Planting species of plants that they do not like will work in certain situations," he said.

Even in the city of San Jose, excessive critters are becoming a nuisance.

"San Jose has had a problem with wild pigs. There have been numerous reports of pigs roaming neighborhoods such as Almaden Valley, and tearing up lawns and landscaping. In those cases, the county issued permits, trapped the pigs, removed them and destroyed them," he said. "Wild animals can't be trapped and released, because many of them carry disease. I know a lot of people like the animals and don't want them shot, but with few exceptions, they can't be relocated."

Short of outfitting themselves and hunting game in their backyards, which city officials would definitely frown upon, residents are limited as to what actions they can take in dealing with dangerous animals.

"People can only take precautions when they are informed," Roy Martin said. "There has been a tremendous failure of responsibility. People may have been able to take precautions had they known what to do. I've done everything I can to communicate our concerns. I really feel the only reason we received the information we did was because Laurie took the time to respond."

Baldwin said that in situations that present no immediate danger, residents should contact Fish and Game. "We may not respond immediately, but we will have documentation of the incident," he said. Unfortunately, Baldwin said, Fish and Game has only five agents working from its Monterey office who are responsible for Santa Clara and northern Santa Cruz Counties, which limits their ability to respond immediately to every call.

"Our chances of being there when the animal is there are slim," he said.

In cases of emergency or public safety, Baldwin said, residents should call 911. Law enforcement officials are allowed to take necessary actions to control an animal that is presenting a threat to public safety. Officials also suggested a possible plan of action that would allow vector control officers to respond in cases that might require immediate assistance.

Saratoga Mayor pro tem Stan Bogosian agreed with Baldwin that the animal problem is not one that is going to go away. The most important things, he said, are to make sure residents are aware of the proper procedures for reporting incidents and also are informed of the best techniques for adapting properties to be less enticing to the creatures. Bogosian also said city planners in September would be discussing current codes for hillside fencing, and encouraged residents to attend the Sept. 7 meeting.

"This is a very complex issue that I don't think we can solve overnight," he said.

---

To report an incident or to obtain information on dealing with wild animals, residents can contact the California Department of Fish and Game's Monterey office at (831) 649-2870 or the department's Sacramento office at (916) 445-0045, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Situations presenting immediate danger can be reported to 911 emergency operators. Residents may also contact Santa Clara County Vector Control at (408) 299-2050.

---

Burning newspapers spark two-alarm house fire

Commentary: Compost heap embodies the American Dream

Obituaries

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

Los Gatos Dammit Run

Photo: Courtside Tennis team