One of my favorite things about spending time in our parks, especially Herring Run and Druid Hill, is seeing deer along the paths. It's sweet and endearing to spot a young buck or a mother with her fawns among the trees. So when I heard that Baltimore City Rec & Parks has a plan to come into our parks in March to kill deer, I knew there had to be a better solution.

While overpopulation can cause problems, there are methods that don't involve killing these gentle creatures. A deer killing program is a waste of our tax dollars - it isn't the only or even the most effective solution.  Our city can and must do better.

Their high reproductive rate will quickly compensate for any deer removed. They will have to continue killing deer every year to significantly reduce the herd and to keep the population from bouncing back. As a taxpayer, I don’t want to fund this never-ending deer killing program.

This has not been an open or transparent process.  BCRP claims to have used a "strong community engagement process."  By their own numbers, around 3,700 people completed a general survey, about 15 people came to each of 3 meetings in the communities surrounding the impacted parks (Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Herring Run Park, and Druid Hill Park) and 104 attended an online meeting.  Claiming to have community support based on roughly 150 people in the directly impacted communities and overall less than 1% of all Baltimore City residents is misleading at best. 

Let's be honest - people are busy and there are so many concerns that we want our city to address - holding information sessions on a "proposed deer management program" is not going to attract a lot of attention.  Calling it what it is - a plan to kill deer in our parks - is not only more accurate and transparent but also would attract more attention.  By using evasive language, they keep a low profile on this project and hope to move ahead with little push back.

They also are not being transparent about the cost of the program.  They state that alternatives are too expensive, giving a wide range of cost, $300 - 1,500 per deer to use fertility control.  But they don't say how much this program costs.  Or how much the additional supports will cost us as taxpayers, including Baltimore Police and helicopter presence to clear the parks. 

They say that alternate approaches take too long.  But where is the urgency?  This problem has been growing over time and they have studied this solution for one year.  They don't have any data to show why this has to happen right now.  Why not take their time and spend a little more to use an approach that is more humane for the deer and has zero risk to human safety? 

BCRP boasts that this program will help solve hunger issues by donating venison to local food banks.  But they don't say if there is a demonstrated need for venison at food banks.  Will it go to waste because people don't want it or don't know how to cook it? 

BCRP has failed to be transparent and open with our community.  They have failed to explain the urgency, all of the costs involved, how they plan to continue to pay for this program when the grant from the Maryland Forest Service Community Forestry Catalyst Fund runs out in January 2028, or any assurances that the venison donation actually addresses food needs and will not go to waste. 

Instead of taking such a drastic step, let’s call on Baltimore City Rec & Parks to lead with compassion and innovation in preserving biodiversity.

Join me in demanding transparency and community engagement!  We must call on our city to halt the deer killing plan and take their time to engage the community and develop more humane strategies.

The Humane Society has a wealth of resources on how to develop a comprehensive deer management plan.  Programs like the Clifton Deer Program in Cincinnati are examples of how it can be done. Let’s protect our parks and the wildlife that calls them home. Please sign this petition to demand a compassionate approach to managing our city's natural resources.