Managing deer in Ann Arbor
Friday, May 29, 2015
By: Wendy Welch

Follow-up to 5/20 presentation on fertility control methods

HSHV is grateful to the members of the public, Mayor Chris Taylor and two City Council candidates, Sally Peterson and Will Leaf, for attending the presentation on fertility control methods.

Stephanie Boyles Griffin, the Senior Director of Wildlife Response, Innovation and Services presented some case studies from other parts of the country on fertility control methods, including sterilization and PZP.  She reviewed successful outcome data, general cost, and the pros and cons of each method.  She also touched on less intensive strategies taken in other communities. 

Not only did Ms. Boyles Griffin offer some valuable factual data that has not been explored yet in Ann Arbor, she highlighted important points that deserve much more attention before setting public policy and spending taxpayer money, including:

1. Any population management method, lethal or non-lethal, requires long term commitment.  “Once you’re in it you are in it for the long haul. It will be a budget item for years to come.” 

2. Culls are highly controversial and create ongoing community divisiveness.

3. A cull does not guarantee that the individual deer someone doesn't want in their yard will be the exact ones killed or that it will keep remaining deer out.

4. To effectively address the resident complaints around landscape concerns, the focus should be on conflict resolution rather than population management. 

5. Any plan should start first with prevention and education methods to address landscape issues.  These methods can be highly effective on their own and are much cheaper and easier to implement.

We are sorry to report that although we had hoped to make a recorded version of the presentation available, our technology failed us. However, the Mayor has invited Ms. Boyles Griffin to Ann Arbor to provide further information to City Council.

To be clear, HSHV is not advocating for fertility control methods.  Rather, we want to be sure our public policy makers and residents receive information on all of the options available and believe we can find a strategy that is humane for wildlife, does not involve sharpshooters in places where our kids and pets play, and that satisfies those who are frustrated over landscape damage. 

Because car/deer collisions are not on the rise and there is no confirmed case of Lyme Disease caused by local deer, it is the landscape concern that is left to be addressed.  But this does not mean Ann Arbor is actually over-populated with deer.  At a current count of just 168 deer in and immediately surrounding Ann Arbor, including the University of Michigan property, the question still remains whether this is an issue worth heavy taxpayer investment or an issue affecting a few neighborhoods with high concentrations of deer, particularly those with big open yards located next to open parks, that need assistance.   

Although the consultant-led Deer Management study collected public opinion from outspoken residents on both sides of the cull issue, we have not yet had an objective assessment of the issue, determined if we have a problem, nor had a review of the full array of possible solutions. Public opinion is very important-- which should be followed by an objective and thorough analysis. We are grateful that the Mayor and City Council are taking clear steps in that direction.