Car/deer crashes, landscape damage, nuisance issues: those are the main complaints from Grand Rapids residents when it comes to deer in the city. James Hurt is the Managing Director of Public Services and says he’s heard such complaints off-and-on, but they’ve been increasing over the last three years.
”We have talked with the DNR and the USDA Wildlife Service. The first step is trying to identify: is there an issue or concern that needs to be addressed?”
Hurt says they’re in the “gathering information stage,” evaluating how big a problem the deer really are, and what their options are. Cities can extend their hunting season or bring in professionals to cull the herd, apply deer sprays, add fencing or try sterilization.
But there’s been no clear direction yet to recommend to the city commission.
“They were interested in knowing: is there a problem? And then once we identify if there may be an overpopulation issue, what would the steps be? And that will be forthcoming.”
He says leaders in Kentwood and Walker have already reached out to collaborate on solutions to growing deer issues in their cities. He plans to see if others in the metro area are interested in participating.
”Because we do believe this is a regional situation in terms of if we’re going to try to address overpopulation in one area, we don’t want to cause problems in other parts of the region.”
