Deer overpopulation is causing some serious trouble across Michigan.
One Metro Detroit community came together on Monday (March 24) night to find solutions.
While no decision was ultimately made, many passionate people were inside this special meeting to hear the plan for tackling the issue.
“They would shoot 150 deer. The cull will be performed at night using thermals,” said Farmington Hills Deputy Director for the Department of Special Services, Bryan Farmer.
It was standing-room-only Farmington Hills City Hall as residents eagerly listened to the Department of Natural Resources for a solution to deer overpopulating the area.
“I see probably half a dozen a day, and my friend who’s down in a valley probably sees 12-20 per day,” said resident Laura Paulson.
“People of Farmington Hills are getting a little upset because 10 years is a long time. In 10 years, the deer herd went from 340 to 1,500 plus at this point. That’s a little bit much,” said resident Paul Olsen.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, Oakland County is ranked second in Michigan for deer collisions, as the number of deer only rises each year.
The total number of hunters has decreased by 32% since 1995.
“It’s not just our backyards that are affected. It’s our wild areas. The deer are way too many,” said Paulson.
The proposed solution would be to perform annual culls or have sharpshooters eliminate the animals from high and allow hunting to help with harvest.
The draft resolution also proposes temporarily suspending fire-arm ordinances during those times.
“And over a period of time, we’d be able to better manage that dear herd,” Farmer said.
“There aren’t many predators on the landscape for deer in southern Michigan. So, the only way to manage those populations are through legal regulate hunting,” said Chad Fedewa with the Department of Natural Resources.
The only thing is this proposed plan is not an overnight fix. To be honest, it will be years before we see progress made.
City leaders will be meeting in April to vote on whether they want to proceed with the plan.