Ann Arbor Nearly Halfway To Goal Of Killing 100 Deer
ANN ARBOR (WWJ/AP) - The city of Ann Arbor says it's nearly halfway to its goal of killing 100 deer in its effort to reduce the animal's population in city parks.
The city said this week that another 11 deer were shot and killed last week by city-hired U.S. Department of Agriculture sharpshooters, bringing the total to 47 deer killed since the cull began Jan. 2.
The city also said that 1,050 pounds of venison had been donated as of Feb. 8 to a nonprofit food rescue and food bank program, according to the Ann Arbor News.
Lawsuits have challenged the deer cull. Ann Arbor says reducing the herd will have a positive impact on other animals and public land.
The cull continues through March 1, and 14 parks will remain closed from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays.
The cull was ordered after more than a year of city discussions and study. Complaints from some residents about damage to landscaping and concerns about deer-vehicle crashes prompted study of the issue. An aerial survey on February 10, 2015 counted 116 deer and the second survey on March 6, 2015 counted 168 deer. The animals are concentrated in the north and east sides of the city, as well as areas along the Huron River.