Grand Island board raises public-safety concerns over rising deer numbers, asks DEC for population data

Supervisor Pete and other advisory board members told the Conservation Advisory Board they have observed a noticeable increase in deer on Grand Island and growing reports of vehicle collisions, property damage and residents encountering deer in neighborhoods.

Pete said he has received multiple calls reporting more deer and that local police report increasing vehicle-deer crash responses. "We're seeing more and more vehicle accidents and, obviously, property damage," he said. Board members attributed the rise to curtailed hunting and possible changes in habitat and recommended requesting population and harvest data from the DEC.

What the board will do: Pete said he had contacted DEC staff and would follow up with a DEC wildlife contact to obtain year‑to‑year harvest and permit statistics (including doe permits) and to learn what management options other island or bounded communities have used. Members discussed options mentioned by DEC staff elsewhere — for example, bait-and-shoots, expanded crossbow or muzzleloader seasons, and targeted harvest programs — and expressed concern about humane, safety and logistics issues for Grand Island's residential areas.

Data gaps and next steps: Diane said the town's natural resource inventory is collecting wildlife information but so far has not compiled trend analysis. The board asked staff to request DEC population estimates or harvest totals specific to Grand Island's wildlife-management unit and to provide any available local trend data.

Ending: The board agreed to follow up with the DEC contact and to share any data with the advisory board for discussion of next steps that balance public safety, wildlife health and resident concerns.