“More people are starting to notice, “Wow, there’s more deer than we used to have and maybe there’s more problems with those higher numb.”
Chad Stewart is a Deer, Elk and Moose Specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Those in his profession have been tracking the increasing deer numbers for a several years but now problems like deer/vehicle crashes, landscape and crop damage have reached a breaking point across many areas in West Michigan.
“Several different communities are starting to reach out to us and inquire about how to deal with these burgeoning deer numbers.”
Stewart recommends leaders contact the DNR for help in tracking and monitoring deer. Then they can form a management plan that might include community hunts, or hiring professional shooters which is more effective but more expensive.
“It’s not an enviable challenge for any community leader to have to deal with because there’s certainly a lot of emotion tied to deer management not only with the cost but what method is chosen.”
Stewart says managing the suburban deer population is something more people are going to have to start considering.
“Any community leader that is starting to hear rumblings in their community, I would certainly encourage them to reach out to us. We can help.”
