DeForest adopts Deer Management Plan

The DeForest Village Board voted 5-0 in favor of adopting a proposed plan to manage the village’s deer population on Tuesday, March 19. Trustees Brian Taylor and Jim Simpson were absent for the meeting.

After conducting two drone surveys to in recent weeks, the village’s Director of Public Services Judd Blau stated that both flights counted an “exceedingly high” number of deer in a 1.65 square mile area even by conservative estimates.

The management plan was subsequently developed to address the issue. Deer populations to this degree in urban settings lead to increases in car/deer incidents as well as deer-tick born diseases like Lyme disease.

Outside of the very real human-health concerns, the population’s size also comes with its own set of nuisances.

Blau stated that village staff have seen an increase in requests for removal of deer carcasses by residents, which the police department has assisted with in some cases.

While this may seem trivial, the village cannot enter private property to conduct removals. Those looking for disposal must carry the specimen to the curb themselves which then enables the village to help.

A herd this size is also detrimental to the health of the deer themselves as natural resources are finite. Blau has stated several times in village committee meetings that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is present within the village’s herd. CWD is a fatal affliction which attacks a deer’s nervous system until it withers away.

Deputy Public Services Director Greg Hall also mentioned on March 19 that over grazing in the village can be detrimental for native plants and invite the growth of invasive species.

Some residents have also expressed concerns about the destruction of gardens and landscaping on their properties by the herd, according to the management plan.

The public has had the opportunity to conduct discourse amongst themselves and with the village on the topic in recent weeks. An ‘Engage DeForest’ page , which includes a copy of the plan, was created on the topic on Wednesday, March 13. The forum for discussion has garnered responses for and against suggested actions on reducing the herd’s population.

Some encouraged the village to take the necessary steps to ensure public and herd safety. Others spoke out against the increasing urban expansion into natural wildlife areas and suggested that the herd be left alone.

Ultimately, Blau stated that the herd’s size has gotten out of hand and that something needed to be done.

“Quite frankly, we’ve created a safe haven. They have plenty of food to munch on with people’s plantings in their yards an other things and then there’s people that feed the deer... There are some things we need to do,” Blau said.

He encouraged residents to undertake some initiatives themselves, such as:

Screening or fencing in private gardens or plantings.Planting less desirable vegetation for deer.Reducing bird feeders and prohibiting deer feeding in backyards.Installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers to deter residential grazing.Or using deer repellents on gardens/plants which can be bought in many hardware stores.

Other non-lethal methods, like birth control or trapping, are not deemed legal by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Lethal sharp shooting will prove to be the most sure-fire way to cull the herd, according to Blau. However, this approach comes with its own its own set of roadblocks.

Village staff have considered hosting a resident bow hunt to reduce herd size. But, it would be hard to guarantee that all participants have adequate urban hunting training and many village parks/natural areas are near pedestrian trails.

Professional services can be contracted to conduct sharpshooting on behalf of municipalities. Though, these services can prove to be costly.

The prevailing method that Blau mentioned on March 19 would utilize skilled shooters within the village to undertake the project. This would result in a lowered cost to reduce the herd’s population and further ensure the safety of village residents.

Hall mentioned that these efforts would mostly likely take place during the winter months when snow is on the ground, potentially at the beginning of 2025.

If and when this takes place, Blau stated that residents can expect some of the resulting venison to become available on a first come, first served basis.