Archived News Release: December 18, 2018 - On Nov. 8, City Council approved a resolution to contract with White Buffalo, Inc. for combined surgical sterilization and sharpshooting management services for the City of Ann Arbor's 2019 deer management program.
The approved lethal cull for the winter of 2019 aims to address the impact of deer browsing in select areas with the lethal removal of up to 150 deer. The city's contractor, White Buffalo, will work under a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) amended special research permit. Under the permit, White Buffalo sterilized six female deer in two zones in Wards 1 and 2 Nov. 25–28. Success within the areas is achieved by the capture and sterilization of more than 95% of female deer within identified zones. To date, White Buffalo has sterilized 78 female deer in these zones. White Buffalo will assess the level of success in their final report to the city in late spring.
The amended MDNR permit also allows White Buffalo sharpshooters to lethally remove up to 150 deer in designated City of Ann Arbor parks, nature areas and city-selected private parcels. The permit allows lethal activities from Jan. 2 through Jan. 27 on private property and public land. The below parks will be closed every day (including weekends) for all purposes Jan. 2–Jan. 27 from 3 p.m. to midnight.
Barton Nature Area (only the Foster area north of Warrington Drive)
Bird Hills Nature Area
Cedar Bend/Island Park
Foxfire West Nature Area
Huron Parkway/Braun Nature Areas
Leslie Park Golf Course
Leslie Woods Nature Area
Narrow Gauge Way Nature Area
Oakwoods Nature Area
South Pond Nature Area (only the area in the vicinity of the NAP office at 3875 E. Huron River Dr.)
Pending final authorization from University of Michigan, Nichols Arboretum will be closed on the following dates only: Jan. 7, 14 and 17 from 3 p.m.–midnight.
Jan. 2 through Jan. 27, several University of Michigan (pending final authorization) and Concordia University properties will be closed every day from 3 p.m. to midnight. (Refer to the 2019 Deer Management Closure Map.)
Sharpshooting will not occur from a moving vehicle, but may occur from a parked vehicle. Sharpshooting will occur by the city's contractor on city-selected, privately owned parcels subject to the owner's consent and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Residents can continue with their normal daily routines since all deer management activities will occur on private property only. Unauthorized trespassing is not permitted and will be subject to enforcement action.
Signage in multiple languages will be posted in closed parks, nature areas and university site entrances and notable access points at least 24 hours in advance of the Jan. 2 closure. Residents living adjacent to designated parks or nature areas will be informed of closures via postcard.
To view the closure map, read answers to frequently asked questions or sign up for deer management email notifications, visit www.a2gov.org/deermanagement. If you have specific questions, please email [email protected] or call the deer hotline at (734) 794-6295.
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