Concerns over a burgeoning deer population in Farmington Hills, Michigan, have prompted local officials to consider a management plan that involves culls and hunting to mitigate risks such as vehicle collisions and landscape damage. Amid growing resident frustrations over frequent deer encounters that result in property destruction and exacerbate the risk of Lyme disease, the city's response has become a focal point of debate. "It’s been an ongoing problem since we’ve been here. We see deer in our backyard all the time. We love it, but I also just saw a deer get hit by a car on 14 Mile Road," Farmington Hills Resident Jeremy Long stated, as reported by WXYZ.
In 2023 alone, Oakland County experienced more than 2,000 deer/vehicle collisions, indicating a significant safety issue for drivers. Proposal details from Bryan Farmer, Deputy Director of Farmington Hills’ Department of Special Services, explain that sharpshooters would "shoot down on the deer and drop them there," with the use of thermals and suppressors to minimize disturbance during culls at night, WXYZ reported. Moreover, hunting approaches would employ bows and crossbows, not firearms, to ensure safety, Farmer added.
Yet, not all community members are comfortable with the proposed interventions. Wildlife enthusiast Jacob Kunz expressed reservations about how the cull could affect local wildlife viewing opportunities, saying to WXYZ, "I really enjoy being able to come out here in the city and walk around at this nice park and see the wildlife, there are deer, turkey, and hawks. I wouldn’t want that to really not be a part of Farmington Hills." Similarly, the problem isn't confined to one area; it affects several neighboring communities, where residents like Waterford’s John Durnbaugh report considerable landscape damage caused by deer.
Despite some dissent, the consensus indicates urgency for a solution. "People of Farmington Hills are getting a little upset because 10 years is a long time. In 10 years, the deer herd went from 340 to 1,500 plus at this point. That’s a little bit much," Paul Olsen, a resident, stated, as detailed by ClickOnDetroit. Acknowledging the issue's complexity, Chad Fedewa from the DNR emphasized the lack of natural predators in the area and promoted regulated hunting as a means to manage the population, something that is echoed in the councils' discussion where organized hunting mentioned as an option for residents to participate in a controlled manner, as per FOX 2 Detroit. The Farmington Hills City Council is set to take up the extensive proposal on April 28 to address both short-term incidents and long-term deer population control.
