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City of Syracuse Removes Nearly 160 Deer in First Effort to Control Population

City of Syracuse

Syracuse city officials say nearly 160 white-tailed deer were culled in Syracuse’s first effort to reduce an overpopulation that is causing several issues in city neighborhoods.  The suggested target areas came from recommendations made by the volunteer Tick and Deer Management Group that also held public meetings to collect input. 

City Spokesperson Greg Loh informed city lawmakers and staff Thursday about the results from last December to March, over the course of 20 nights.

"In the southeast quadrant, 79 deer were removed.  In the southwest quadrant, 47 deer.   There aren't sites in the northern part of the city, but more in the middle part of the western area, 33 were removed."              

Loh says the public feedback of the first round is wide ranging… from a very noticeable immediate impact to another neighborhood near DeWitt that says they haven’t seen any difference.  Councilor Chol Majok says the problem is plain to see in his neighborhood.

"Here in the third district, especially in the Elmwood and Winkworth area, I can literally go out here right now and show you the deer that wander in my backyard."

The USDA recommends that additional properties be identified to increase the coverage of the next culling.  The next deer and tick management plan will be presented to city lawmakers in August.  In the meantime, the public can reach out to the city parks department or the Mayor’s Office to suggest future culling areas next winter.

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.