Residents urge action on urban deer; public speakers debate lethal and nonlethal options

Dozens of residents and several subject‑matter speakers urged Farmington Hills City Council on March 24 to adopt a deer‑management plan, while others urged nonlethal measures and more public education.

Public speakers described property damage, vehicle collisions and animal disease concerns and presented differing analyses of scope and solutions. Several speakers asked the city to pursue professional sharpshooting (a cull) or controlled hunting in parkland; others urged stronger enforcement of feeding bans, neighborhood education, signage and nonlethal deterrents.

Speakers representing concerns about deer impacts included Colleen Redmond, Pamela Santo and Tammy Sadwell, who described extensive landscaping damage to private yards and harm to quality of life. Redmond said daily sightings of 10–16 deer made her yard “nearly unusable.” Pamela Santo described repeated damage to plantings and said the situation had persisted for many years.

Speakers urging lethal removal and stronger action included Paul Olsen and Laura Paulson, who cited population‑growth figures and disease risk. Olsen referenced the city’s earlier aerial counts and said population growth since 2016 could imply a higher deer population today. Laura Paulson warned about chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), describing their transmission pathways and potential rapid spread where deer densities are high.

Speakers favoring nonlethal management urged education and targeted traffic‑safety measures. Kim Corona and others suggested mass mailings, targeted signage in high‑collision areas, focused speed‑limit reductions at dusk/dawn, and homeowner guidance on deer‑resistant plantings and deterrents. Several speakers noted that repellents and fencing have variable effectiveness and that landscaping choices can help but may not be practical or affordable for all households.

Experts and technical comments were offered during the period. James Winkler, who identified himself as a retired university professor and molecular biologist, said high local deer density creates different ecological pressures than rural hunting areas and raised concerns about population‑level effects. Caitlin McHenry, a biosystems engineer and lavender farmer, noted that small rodents and birds are important Lyme‑disease reservoirs and urged landowners to use a variety of deterrents and plant selections.

Several speakers raised safety concerns about allowing hunting in heavily residential areas and asked that any lethal removal rely on trained professionals using methods that ensure public safety. Opponents of sharpshooting cited public‑safety incidents elsewhere and urged more examination of nonlethal alternatives and regional coordination.

Council did not take an immediate formal action at the March 24 meeting. Councilmembers and staff noted the issue’s complexity and a desire to coordinate with Oakland County and state wildlife authorities; the record shows a study process is underway and that the city will continue to gather information and public input before any decision on lethal removal or other policy changes.