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Dublin council directs staff to begin USDA contract talks for deer management program
Summary
After a multi-year review and new drone and survey data, Dublin City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to negotiate with USDA Wildlife Services toward a targeted deer removal program; a formal agreement may be considered June 8 pending negotiations and permits.
Dublin City Council voted to direct staff to begin contract negotiations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to design a targeted deer management program.
Staff presented multiple data points — a January community survey with 3,656 responses, a late-April thermal drone count of 528 deer by Dark Horizon, and expert input from ODNR, Ohio State and Metro Parks — and described options including targeted removal, archery programs, and the legal prohibition on relocating deer under state law. Emily Goliver, the staff lead, said the city would work with USDA to define removal locations, numbers and timing and would return with a resolution to authorize a contract if negotiations succeed. "We would anticipate, should we receive direction this evening, bringing forward a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture...on June 8," Goliver said.
Council members stressed public-safety and ecological concerns while asking about scale and oversight. One member noted the drone results and survey data and urged robust public education and an ethics statement tied to program execution. Council also discussed operational requirements — ODNR permits, the likely need to target a high percentage of does to reduce population, and logistical considerations for processing venison for donation. Mayor Ambrose Grooms moved to direct staff to proceed with contract negotiations and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call. Staff said details on removal counts, locations and costs would be part of future contract documents and subject to ODNR permits and USDA capacity.
