Living in Blue Bell, it's hard to see deer as just "pretty" creatures.

When I first moved here, I was amazed at how cute the deer were when I saw them near my yard. But at some point, the atmosphere in the neighborhood began to change a bit. As the deer population grew, they started to eat up the gardens, dart into the roads causing accidents, damage the forests, and even some deer began to starve or get sick. So, every fall, the 'deer hunting season' officially opens in this area.

As the autumn breeze starts to get a bit chilly, notifications about "hunting season starting" pop up in the news or local community. Signs indicating hunting zones are posted around the forests near Blue Bell, and maps of deer management areas circulate. Honestly, I was surprised at first. "You can hunt deer?" But for the people living here, it's not just a pastime; it's seen as one way to protect nature. When deer become too numerous, it ultimately becomes difficult for the deer themselves, so it's accepted as a concept of managing the ecosystem.

When I occasionally see neighbors loading bows or guns into their cars, it feels scary and unfamiliar at first. Although hunting isn't allowed right next to residential areas, only in designated forest areas, encountering hunting preparations often makes me realize that I truly live here.

And surprisingly, there are quite a few neighbors who process and cook the deer meat they hunt. They make steaks or sausages, and some are donated and distributed by local organizations after processing. Occasionally, deer meat comes up in conversations at the butcher shop, and at this point, it feels like deer are truly a "resource that impacts daily life."

Of course, not everyone accepts this comfortably. Some people feel uneasy when hunting season comes around, and seeing signs that say "hunting in progress, no entry" in walking paths or parks makes them tense.

Especially those walking their dogs are more cautious, and families check the areas before engaging in outdoor activities. Here, hunting is allowed, but at the same time, there are etiquette and precautions that must be observed.

Living here, I've come to understand. Living with deer in Blue Bell is not just about enjoying beautiful nature; it's also about contemplating how to manage and coexist with it.

Walking along deer tracks is truly peaceful, but I gradually understand that for nature to remain peaceful, someone must maintain the balance. Living alongside nature is more realistic than I expected, and sometimes it feels quite harsh, which I've learned since coming here.