In an effort to lessen vehicle-deer accidents, public health risks, and disruptions to the ecological balance of Meridian Township’s natural areas, the Township’s Deer Management Program, which reduces local overpopulation of white-tailed deer, will begin October 1 for the regular 2024 archery season.

The 2024 Deer Management Plan will be carried out using the following procedures:

• The archery portion of deer management takes place between October 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.
• This year's program will take place on 44 Township-owned properties and 27 approved private properties.
• The managed harvest is NOT open to the general public. Participants include 67 qualified, experienced, and volunteer hunters who are familiar with the area. All registered hunters attend the required training, perform safety checks, and complete a proficiency test with their equipment.
• Program volunteers utilize archery hunting only.
• Entrances to designated hunting properties are posted to advise visitors of management.
• Michigan State University researchers will conduct a research study coinciding with the Deer Management Program to gather more information on the white-tailed deer and tick population in the Township. More information about this study is provided in this release.

“We are working closely with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to help reduce the population of urban deer for a safer community and healthier deer herd,” said Emma Campbell, Land Stewardship Coordinator. “Due to the program’s increased effectiveness since 2020, we have seen a 36% decrease in car-deer collisions, achieving a key goal.”

Each year, Meridian Township staff receive frequent communications from residents regarding deer overpopulation, risks when traveling due to vehicle-deer accidents, and public health. In response, Meridian Township developed a Deer Management Plan that outlines measures for a highly managed program to harvest white-tailed deer in high-traffic areas throughout the Township. Neighbors of the properties that will be managed received notification about the harvest. All parks and land preserves remain open to the public during this time.

Continuing the organized practice from previous years, venison collected in this program will be donated to local food banks through a collaboration with the MDNR. The MDNR covers the cost of all venison processing. In 2023, a similar collaboration with Michigan Sportsman Against Hunger enabled the archery program to provide 6,156 lbs. of venison (24,624 meals) to 15 local food banks.

To find more information on Meridian Township’s 2024 Deer Management Program, visit http://www.meridian.mi.us/DeerManagement or call 517.853.4600.

Michigan State University Deer Research Project

Michigan State University (MSU) researchers Dr. Matthew Buchholz, Dr. Jean Tsao, and Dr. Henry (Rique) Campa have partnered with Meridian Township to conduct a research study to assess the feasibility of using a food-based delivery method to administer medication to control ticks on deer. This project seeks to reduce the burden of ticks on white-tailed deer and subsequently reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

During this collaboration, the research group will assess the potential to use the food-based delivery method by providing deer with a food product containing a placebo in parks and other public lands. The goals for this year’s Deer Management Program are for the team to assess white-tailed deer activity and consumption rates of this alfalfa-based medication delivery method.

The placebo included in the alfalfa-based delivery units, Rhodamine B, is not an active drug. Rhodamine B is being used in this study as it enables the research team to identify deer that have consumed the units with a distinguishable pink color it leaves around its mouth and whiskers.

For more information on the MSU deer research project, contact Dr. Matthew Buchholz at FW.deertickresearch@msu.edu or visit: http://www.meridian.mi.us/DeerManagement.