Charlevoix City Council delays decision on deer cull

CHARLEVOIX — The Charlevoix City Council has postponed its decision on whether to move forward with another deer cull this year, opting to gather more information before taking action.

They plan to revisit the issue on Oct. 7, according to city manager Mark Heydlauff.

“There wasn’t any vote or action taken (at the Sept. 16 meeting),” Heydlauff said. “Council wants to better understand what other communities have experienced with deer culls and what the long-term effects are before making a decision.”

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This follows last year’s deer cull, which aimed to reduce the city’s deer population after numerous complaints from residents about property damage, deer-related traffic accidents and environmental impacts. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources carried out the cull, but its long-term efficacy remains a topic of discussion.

In a previous report, officials explained that the rising deer population posed risks to public safety and the local environment. The cull was intended to address these concerns, but some residents expressed reservations about whether such measures should become an annual occurrence.

“The council is concerned that this might need to be done every year,” Heydlauff said. “They want to know if there are more lasting solutions or if this is something that will have to be repeated.”

At the Oct. 7 meeting, the council will potentially review additional data from the DNR and other communities to assess whether deer culls have long-term benefits or if alternative methods, such as sterilization or relocation, might be more effective.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Charlevoix City Council delays decision on deer cull