WASHINGTON - District residents living near Rock Creek Park are concerned because of the growing deer population in the area some are calling out of control.

The National Park Service held a meeting about the delicate issue Wednesday night. They say there are four possible strategies for controlling the deer population around the park, and two of them involve calling in sharp shooters. Residents who both support and oppose those plans shared their views.

Every chair was filled as the National Park Service explained how the seemingly innocent white-tailed deer have become a threat to the park's ecosystem. Certain species of plants have become increasingly rare -- leaving rangers and residents pointing at the hardy appetites of too many does and bucks.

"I like those deer but there are too many of them," said James Collier, a D.C. resident.

"There really is no choice," added David Splitt, a D.C. resident. "We have to do some unpleasant things."

One option is to call in professionals to shoot and kill the deer and then distribute the meat to charities. "We are not talking about public hunting -- that is not something we're considering at all. But if that's an option that we implement, it would be done by professional sharp shooters," said Adrienne Coleman of the National Park Service.

But some, including the Humane Society of the United States, are saying that's the wrong approach.

Sterilizing is an option but a slow one in the midst of a problem that's growing fast. In 2006, there were 58 deer per square mile around Rock Creek Park. In 2007, that number jumped to 82 -- more than four times the desired number and too many to ignore.

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