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Deer Management

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2021 Deer Management Study:

Infrared Deer Count.  As you can see, the infrared study was performed in Mayfield Village by USDA Wildlife Services on March 9, 2021.  The results show that an estimated 61 to 80 deer were within the 3.95 square mile study area at the time the count was conducted.  Based on the study data, Mayfield Village had an average of 15 to 20 deer per square mile with 36% of them located west of I-271 in the SW corner of Village (the Worton Park area).  

By comparison, as reported in the attached Cleveland.com article in December 2020, deer count results in surrounding communities were much higher–South Euclid had 28 deer per square mile, Highland Heights had 53.2 deer per square mile and Lyndhurst 72.7 deer per square mile.  Although the USDA and ODNR stress that decisions about deer management should not be made based on density alone, the goal of a deer management plan appears to typically be 15 to 20 deer per square mile. 

The USDA recommends that deer vehicle accidents, deer carcass collections and property damage complaints be taken into consideration when making any decisions about deer management.  In 2020, Mayfield Village experienced low numbers of deer vehicle accidents (a total of eight, with six occurring on I-271).  During 2020, an additional seven deer carcasses were removed from the Village by the animal warden.  We don’t have complete data from all the surrounding communities, but to provide some context, Highland Heights reported 50 deer vehicle accidents in 2018 and 55 more in 2019.  Lyndhurst’s statistics show 47 deer vehicle accidents in 2020 with 55 deer carcasses removed by their Service Department and animal warden. 

Community-Wide Survey.  The printed deer management survey was mailed to Village residents (1,430 homes) and an electronic version was posted on the Village’s website in mid-February.  438 responses were received, representing a 31% response rate. The results, Village-wide and by Ward, are attached. 

After reviewing the results of the deer count and the community-wide survey with Department Heads, Mayor Bodnar has concluded that pursuing a deer management program is not justified at this time. Even in Worton Park, where the deer population is most concentrated, only 28% of survey respondents said they regard deer as a nuisance and 57% felt that the benefits of deer outweigh the problems they cause or are an even trade off.  As recommended by the USDA, Mayor Bodnar has asked that Departments continue to monitor deer vehicle accidents, carcass collections and resident complaints.