Venison From Deer Killed In Ann Arbor Going To Feed Hungry
ANN ARBOR (WWJ/AP) - Venison from deer killed by sharpshooters hired to reduce the deer population in Ann Arbor parks is being processed to help feed the hungry.
Howell-based Great Lakes Custom Meats and More is processing the meat to be delivered to Food Gatherers, a nonprofit food rescue and food bank program serving Washtenaw County, according to a report in the Ann Arbor News.
Over the past month, at least a few dozen deer have been killed. Officials haven't said how much venison has gone to Food Gatherers.
Ann Arbor wants to kill at least 100 deer in city parks and nature areas by March 1. Lawsuits challenged the practice. Ann Arbor says reducing the herd will have a positive impact on other animals and the health of public land enjoyed by residents.
In November, the Ann Arbor City Council voted 8-1 in favor of spending up to $35,000 to hire sharpshooters to lure and kill 100 deer at night in city-owned parks and natural areas. In order for the cull to take place, the council also voted to change a city law to allow the discharge of weapons in public places.
The vote followed 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.
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