[ back ]
Despite 'sticker shock' aerial deer count planned
(by Sue Reid - March 16, 2011)
Despite 'sticker shock' aerial deer count planned
By SUE REID
An aerial deer count in Solon could take place as early as this month.
City Council's safety and public properties committee recommended moving ahead with a count following last week's presentation by Ohio Division of Wildlife and U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives. It also followed Public Works director James S. Stanek's recommendation to reconsider an aerial count due to its cost, estimated at $30,000.
"I had a bit of sticker shock," Mr. Stanek said. If the city does any more aerial counts, he prefers a site count, he said. However, he is not ready to do that because it would require time to set up necessary transect lines as well as train individuals to do the counting, he said.
Mr. Stanek also said the division of wildlife is comfortable with Solon's animal warden's current ground counts.
Animal Warden Greg Miller's most recent count done last fall was 694 deer. When the city first started culling in 2004, that number was 922. By culling, that number was reduced to 450 by 2009, but has since increased.
"We're concerned it can be up to 1,000 again by next year," Mr. Stanek said.
Councilman William I. Russo said the aerial count "is something that's needed just to make sure the deer count has grown.
"If there is no increase in deer count, then there is no justification for doing anything," he said.
The committee will request council action to approve the aerial study, and a special City Council meeting is expected to be scheduled sometime this week.
"There's some merit in doing it so we can go back to our baseline before moving ahead with a program," Mr. Stanek.
"I think we have to do something with our deer management," Mayor Susan A. Drucker said, "because the numbers have shown an increase.
"The deer-vehicle accidents are on the rise again, but what the committee asked for and what the administration will provide is a comprehensive plan using lethal and non-lethal management recommendations," she said.
Scott Peters, wildlife management supervisor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, explained those lethal and non-lethal options. He said that comprehensive programs should include multiple options.
For example, Mr. Peters said, if the city would go with sharpshooters again, "which can be extremely effective at reducing a deer herd within a given area," that needs to be followed by other management tools.
"Non-lethal is very important, no matter if you go to sharpshooting or stay status quo," Mr. Peters said. Fencing is the most effective method as a non-lethal method, but there are maintenance and costs associated with them, he said.
"There will still be a degree of living with deer no matter which way you go," Mr. Peters said.
"We need something comprehensive that incorporates both lethal and non-lethal options," Mr. Russo said.
"Regulated hunting is how we manage deer on a statewide basis," Mr. Peters continued. There are safety concerns related to that in urban areas, he said, which is why additional controls are recommended.
"That can be an excellent way to maintain your desired deer density," Mr. Peters said.
Mr. Peters said there are nearby areas where archery hunting is allowed, including Bentleyville, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Orange, Gates Mills, Twinsburg and Glenwillow. Neighboring Pepper Pike went to trapping and euthanizing to control its deer population. That method uses a captive bolt gun, similar to what is used in slaughterhouses across the country.
Mr. Peters also said budgetary issues are affecting communities throughout the nation, which is why programs with multiple options, both lethal and non-lethal, are being considered.
Andrew J. Montoney, state director and wildlife biologist with the USDA, said, "there is no single technique or tool out there that will solve your issue." He said the city needs to spell out its management goals.
"You are not alone across the nation in what you are facing," Mr. Montoney said. "If you are doing it right, you will integrate all sorts of things, the whole gamut.
"You can't quit," Mr. Montoney said of wildlife management. "It doesn't happen in one season. You have to continue. You need to look at your options and the best one to achieve your goal."
Mr. Russo asked what would happen if the deer population goes unchecked.
Mr. Peters said the city would risk approaching the levels of deer that existed before the program started.
"I think if you are going to do a program, it's important to have both lethal and non-lethal alternatives," Councilman Edward H. Kraus said. "It's a comprehensive program that would maintain the population and avoid deer-car accidents."
Mr. Russo said he will only agree to a program with multiple options.
"I will not agree to a single-method program. That has been the problem in the past," he said. "Everyone was looking at one option to be a silver bullet that will take care of everything.
"A comprehensive plan will be one way of reducing the cost of an overall deer management program," Mr. Russo said. That means reducing the cost not just the first year but subsequent years as well.
"It is the only effective way," he said.
[ back ]
