ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — Ann Arbor's controversial deer cull resumes Thursday in parks, natural areas and on some private land.
A city contractor will hunt up to 150 deer, according to the city of Ann Arbor website.
Sharpshooting will not occur from a moving vehicle, but may occur from a parked vehicle. Sharpshooting will occur by the city's contractor on city-selected, privately owned parcels subject to the owner's consent and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Residents can continue with their normal daily routines since all deer management activities will occur on private property only. Unauthorized trespassing is not permitted and will be subject to enforcement action.
Supporters say decreasing the deer population will limit car crashes and protect the ecosystem.
But critics say the deer will just repopulate.
These city parks will be closed each day starting Jan. 2 through Jan. 26 from 3 p.m. to midnight.
- Barton Nature Area (only the Foster 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
- Ruthven Nature Area
- South Pond Nature Area (only the area in the vicinity of the NAP office at 3875 E. Huron River Dr.)
- Buttonbush (a new park north of Dhu Varren Road and West of Nixon Road)
- Nichols Arboretum will be closed on the following dates only: Jan. 6, 13 and 20 from 3 p.m.–midnight.
The 2020 program will be the fifth year of deer management activities in the City of Ann Arbor. Initially, City Council approved a four year deer management plan, but the DNR issued a five-year research permit. In order to complete the DNR permit, City Council authorized an additional year of deer management activities, which are included in the 2020 fiscal year budget.
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