• Mule deer are at less than 50% of their sustainability (ODFW). They appear plentiful because they are in our neighborhoods, but they are there because loss of habitat has cut off their migratory routes.
• For the past three years, there were 1,000- 5000 animal vehicle collisions in Deschutes County each year (sourced from ODOT, ODFW, Deschutes County and City of Bend).
• Wildlife crossings reduce collisions by 85-95%, saving motorists $6500 in vehicle damage per collision, or $6,500,000 - $32,500,000 annually. They pay for themselves over time.
• The value of wildlife to tourism is an additional loss, especially to rural communities who rely on money that hunters and other tourists bring to their communities.
• In a publication, “Hunting in America,” it is estimated that deer hunting in Oregon in 2011 brought in $80,807,211 in salaries and wages in Oregon. The total for retail sales was $139,987,049. Additional dollars were paid to state and federal taxes.
|