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Council seeks deer‑population data; city contracted ODNR for a study, law director says
Summary
Councilmembers raised resident concerns about increasing deer sightings and requested data. Law Director said the city has an executed agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to study deer population; the city also prohibits bow and crossbow hunting and discharging firearms near residential property is restricted by state law.
Several councilmembers on April 24 raised resident concerns about an apparent increase in deer in Stowe’s neighborhoods and parks and asked staff for data and possible management options.
Law Director Mr. Riley reported he had reviewed an agreement and that the city "have entered into a contract with ODNR to study the population of deer in the city to help us get that data." He said staff did not yet have the study results and would share the executed agreement with council members upon request.
Council members asked whether deer are causing damage to public grounds, including golf course turf; staff said impacts appeared minor but acknowledged occasional damage. Council members also raised safety concerns after a constituent reported sharpshooters at a nearby Kent State facility. Riley explained the city defers to state law on discharge of firearms and noted that the city explicitly prohibits bow and crossbow hunting within its limits.
Council directed staff to share the ODNR agreement and to provide data from the study when available so members could respond to constituent inquiries and consider possible next steps.
