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This week, specially trained sharpshooters will begin the annual deer culling in Syracuse. The program, which started in 2019, aims to address public health and safety concerns caused by an overpopulation of deer. These concerns include tick-borne illnesses like Lyme Disease, damage to parks and gardens, and increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions. In 2023, there were 66 such collisions in the city.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wildlife managers will conduct the culling from dusk to dawn through March. They will focus on areas with high deer populations on the east, west, and south sides of the city. According to Syracuse.com, all sites must meet safety criteria set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and property owners must provide written permission for sharpshooters to operate on their land.
In addition to shooting, Syracuse is piloting a program using soft traps on the east side of the city. These traps alert wildlife managers when a deer is captured, allowing them to euthanize the animal. Chief policy officer Greg Loh explained that while the trapping method is new, the use of firearms will remain the primary method for reducing the deer population.
Last year, the program removed over 100 deer, and the meat was processed and donated to the Food Bank, providing nearly 2,150 pounds. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to 911. For more information, Syracuse residents can access a FAQ guide titled "What Syracuse residents should know about Deer Damage Management" at goto.syr.gov/factsheet-tickanddeer or call the Syracuse Parks Department at (315) 473-4330.
