Michigan’s First Regional Deer Management Initiative Gains Momentum
Communities in Michigan are on the verge of approving a collaborative deer management strategy. The city councils of Farmington and Southfield will soon decide whether to participate in a regional deer cull, a program already approved by Farmington Hills.
According to Bryan Farmer from Farmington Hills’ Special Services Department, the decision to consider a regional approach stems from the migratory nature of deer, which do not confine themselves to city limits. Without predators to regulate their numbers, deer populations have surged, leading to habitat destruction and disease proliferation within herds.
Farmer highlighted the growing concerns among residents: “We’ve had phone calls from residents saying that their dogs have been trampled by deer, they’ve had to take them for surgery, they want the city to pay for that surgery because we’re doing nothing about the deer,” he explained. Additionally, deer-vehicle collisions present significant financial burdens, prompting residents to seek solutions.
While the subject of deer culls evokes strong emotions, with some opposing the killing of animals, Farmer emphasized the importance of educating the public on the necessity of these measures. He advocates for embedding annual culls within city master plans to prevent recurring political debates.
The proposed cull, set to commence next year if approved, will involve USDA-trained sharpshooters working on public and consenting private lands. The initiative’s second year might see the integration of up to five trained officers using bowhunting techniques, complementing the sharpshooter team.
Farmer hopes that the success of this tri-city initiative will inspire similar efforts across southeastern Michigan and beyond. As part of this effort, a reform is underway to update the state’s deer management plan, last revised in 2016.
To streamline the process, city councils could soon access pre-prepared educational materials and resolutions related to deer culls. This template approach aims to reduce the need for individual cities to independently conduct extensive research and surveys, facilitating broader adoption of regional deer management strategies.
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