Deer Cull - Ann Arbor

The Deer Cull is a City of Ann Arbor project to reduce the population of deer within the city limits.

On May 5, 2014, Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution asking the City Administrator to report to Council on development of deer management strategies. On August 14, 2014, the City Administrator reported to Council, recommending a public outreach process and requesting funding to perform that process. On August 17, 2014, City Council approved $20,000 expenditure for the deer management process.

On September 22, 2014, the City issued a request for proposals for a deer management consultant. A consultant was hired who conducted three public meetings - December 10, 2014; February 5, 2015; April 16, 2015. The consultant developed and deployed an online survey and conducted outreach to stakeholders. Working with the consultant, City staff issued deer management recommendations May 7, 2015. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) had been invited to present information about non-lethal deer management methods at the second public meeting, but it declined that invitation. After the May recommendations were issued, City Council allowed the HSUS was invited to give a presentation at a special session on July 13, 2015.

On August 17, 2015, City Council passed a resolution adopting a deer management program. On November 5, 2015, City Council adopted a resolution imposing a temporary moratorium on the discharge of guns in parks to allow the deer cull to proceed. It also passed a resolution authorizing a contract with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services to conduct the deer cull.

On December 15, 2015, City staff identified 26 City parks where cull activities would be conducted. The following parks are affected and will be closed from 4:00 pm. to 7:00 a.m. from January 1 to March 31 2016 in order to conduct the cull. If the cull reaches its quota, the parks will be reopened; this list was revised by City Council at its December 21, 2015 meeting.

Arbor Hills Nature Area
Barton Nature Area
Bird Hills Nature Area
Black Pond Woods Nature Area
Bluffs Nature Area
Braun Nature Area
Cedar Bend Nature Area
Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area
Foxfire South Nature Area
Foxfire West Nature Area
Furstenberg Nature Area,
Huron Parkway Nature Area
Kuebler Langford Nature Area
Leslie Park Golf Course
Leslie Woods Nature Area
Narrow Gauge Nature Area
Oakridge Nature Area
Oakwoods Nature Area
Onder Nature Area
Ruthven Nature Area
South Pond Nature Area
Stapp Nature Area
Traver Creek Nature Area

Several parks were removed from this list at the 21 December 2015 meeting, including parks that make up the Border to Border Trail. Furstenberg Nature Area was maintained as a cull site.

Argo Nature Area , including Argo Park and the Argo Cascades and a portion of the Border to Border Trail
Bandemer Nature Area , and a portion of the Border to Border Trail
Olson Park, and the associated dog park

Timeline: Deer cull

October 16, 2017. Ann Arbor City Council Resolution 17-1619 to Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for Combined Surgical Sterilization and Sharpshooting Management Services for the City’s Deer Population ($35,940.00 amendment/NTE total $205,940.00), Amend the FY18 Budget and Appropriate Necessary Funds ($110,000.00) (8 Votes Required)

December 21, 2015. Resolution Concerning Park and Nature Area Closures, Ann Arbor City Council agenda 15-1569. "RESOLVED, That all parks through which the border-to-border trail is constructed will remain open, and a deer cull will not be conducted in those parks; RESOLVED, That certain parks shall not be used for a cull because of their value to the community for unduplicatable transit and recreation (Olson dog park; Argo park and Argo cascades; Bandemer Park; Furstenberg Park)"

December 15, 2015. Some City Parks and Nature Areas to Close 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Deer Control Efforts Jan. 1–March 31, 2016. City of Ann Arbor. "Signage will be posted at impacted park and nature area entrances to notify visitors of closures. Residents living near designated parks or nature areas will be informed of these closures directly via postcard. In addition, the City's Communication Office will utilize local media, social media, Community Television Network, the city's website and email notifications to inform citizens of these park closures. "