Board approves $25,474 contract with White Buffalo for Griffy Lake deer‑management program

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved a contract, not to exceed $25,474, with wildlife contractor White Buffalo Inc. to manage the 2025 deer‑management effort at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve.

Natural resources manager Mary Wells told the board the contract covers coordination of the hunt, recruitment and training of hunters, removal of harvested deer and a post‑hunt report and recommendations. The hunt is scheduled for the first two weekends of the DNR rifle season in November; the contract will be preceded by a proficiency screening of participants, with dates to be determined.

Wells said White Buffalo has provided deer management services at Griffy Lake for more than eight years. Commissioner Jim Whitlatch noted the program’s past harvest numbers and that removals have been substantial since the program began: “Last year is 26, 1 year is 46,” a board member said during the discussion, and staff clarified historical counts including an initial year of 62 deer removed.

Staff emphasized safety and site security: the hunt requires a professional contractor to coordinate safety screening and on‑site control because the preserve is closed to the public during the operation. Wells said the timing aims to have the park reopened for Thanksgiving weekend when recreational use typically increases.

The board moved and approved the contract by voice vote. Staff also said they expect to present hunt results and recommendations in a post‑hunt report.