Syracuse Sun

The City of Syracuse will provide an update on its Tick and Deer Management program to the Syracuse Common Council on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers on the third floor of Syracuse City Hall, 233 East Washington St. The report to the Council Parks Committee will cover 2023-24 deer removal results, as well as plans for the upcoming 2024-25 program. Public comment will be accepted.

Deer management is one component of the City’s integrated Tick and Deer Management Plan. The plan represents recommendations from a citizen's advisory group on how to address the impacts of deer overpopulation, including deer-motor vehicle accidents; damage to the local ecosystem, gardens and parks; and public health risks such as Lyme Disease. Deer management also occurs in other local municipalities, including Camillus, Solvay, Dewitt, Fayetteville and Manlius.

Between December 2023 and March 2024, 109 deer were removed from the City of Syracuse. The program provided nearly 2,150 pounds of venison, equivalent to about 8,600 meals for donation.

To address overpopulation of deer continuing in sections of the city where culling by sharpshooter is not possible under state guidelines, the City plans to conduct a pilot program using the “trap and euthanize” deer management method in 2024-25. The method is authorized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Property owners who have a property they want to be considered for deer management activities can contact the Parks Department by phone at (315) 473-4330 or by email at parks@syrgov.net.