ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor City Council approved Monday evening a resolution to contract professional sharpshooters White Buffalo, Inc. to conduct its 2020 deer management program.
Now in its fifth year, the lethal cull will aim to remove up to 150 deer, under an amended special research permit by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
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Like in years past, lethal activities will take place in nature areas, designated city parks and city-selected private parcels. Sterilizations of females will not be a part of this year’s program.
According to the permit, lethal activities will be allowed from Jan. 2 through Jan. 26 on both public and private land.
The following parks will be closed every day during this period -- including weekends -- from 3 p.m. to midnight:
Barton Nature Area (only the Foster Road area north of Warrington Drive)
- Bird Hills Nature Area
- Cedar Bend/Island Park
- Foxfire West Nature Area
- Huron Parkway/Braun Nature Areas
- Leslie Park Golf Course
- Leslie Woods Nature Area
- Oakwoods Nature Area
- South Pond Nature Area (only the area in the vicinity of the NAP office at 3875 E. Huron River Drive)
- Buttonbush (a new park north of Dhu Varren Road and west of Nixon Road)
Pending final authorization, deer management activities will also close some areas of University of Michigan and Concordia University Ann Arbor’s campuses.
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Pending approval, Nichols Arboretum at the University of Michigan will be closed from 3 p.m. to midnight on Jan. 6, 13 and 20, and other U-M properties as well as portions of Concordia University’s campus will be closed every day from 3 p.m. to midnight from Jan. 2 through Jan. 26.
Click here to see the 2020 Deer Management Closure Map.
Signs in several languages will be posted in areas where deer management activities are taking place at least 24 hours in advance of closures. Residents who live adjacent to designated nature areas and parks will be notified via postcard.
For more information, visit www.a2gov.org/deermanagement. If you have questions or concerns, email deermanagement@a2gov.org or call the deer hotline at 734-794-6295.