We, the residents of Michigan and supporters of humane wildlife practices, urge the State to ban lethal deer culling programs in residential areas and support effective non-lethal programs to manage deer herd populations, while supporting programs to promote community awareness in regard to living harmoniously with wildlife.  We urge the State of Michigan to allow permits to be granted for the implementation of the already approved, scientific-based sterilization program, which has been proven to be effective, without the requirement of a research permit to local communities and organizations seeking to enact this humane option for deer population control in suburban/urban areas.

Why This Matters:

1. Hunting fails long-term: The DNR has NO scientific evidence that yearly deer killings reduce population long-term.  Based on the rebound effect, surviving deer reproduce with more fawns and new deer immigrate from outside the killing zone.  Population levels long-term remain unchanged or actually grow, unless culling is done on an ongoing basis, annually, in perpetuity.
2. Hunting is dangerous: Hunting or sharpshooting of any type should not be allowed in residential areas, as it poses a risk to residents, children, pets and property.

As an example, in 2015, despite being told NOT to shoot a rare albino deer at Kensington Metropark - this special deer rarely seen in nature was shot and killed.  Sharpshooters, purported to be well-trained experts in culling, claimed they had “not noticed its antlers or distinct coat of white fur against the February snow”. The question of how a white deer on white snow could leave any doubt as to his identity is unknown, but it raises further questions as to whether this could easily have been a pet or a child that was shot “by accident”. 

• Non-lethal alternatives work:  The successful sterilization program of female deer, increasing road signage in areas where deer are more densely populated, renting additional portable deer warning flashing signs during peak deer-activity months, and community education programs can resolve human/deer conflicts of any variety.
• Deer/car collision statistics are frequently quoted by the DNR out of context, in an effort to make it seem as though these collisions represent a high percentage of the total.  In contrast, they represent only a small percentage of total crashes in the State of Michigan.
• The DNR has failed to keep track of population statistics in the state, thereby allowing the department to continually quote that culling is successful, by simply stating the number of deer killed each year, and failing to state actual population growth in subsequent years after these kills have been completed.

Why Sterilization Works:

1. Female deer typically stay within a 1-mile radius of where they’re born. Once sterilized, they no longer reproduce, making this a sustainable solution.
2. Sterilization is safe: Sterilization crews can operate safely where hunters cannot—no closed parks, no safety risks for pets or people.
3. Sterilization is humane: Lethal culling may result in wounded or dying deer wandering into residents yards, scaring children and families, and suffering unnecessarily.
4. Sterilization is supported by research: In its final report in regard to the Ann Arbor sterilization project in recent years, the DNR itself stated that sterilization using ovariectomy in female deer:

“..shows promise as a technique that can assist with management..”

“..may have a role in the future of deer management in urban settings.”

and “..recommends no additional legislation restricting the use of sterilization on game or other species where it may prove beneficial.."

We urge the State to BAN hunting and sharpshooting in residential areas, and to enact legislation allowing for the sterilization of deer without the requirement of a research permit to any qualified individual, organization or community seeking to promote humane alternatives for deer population control.

🔴 Say NO to deer culling in suburban/urban areas in the State of Michigan.
🔴 Say NO to killing our deer based on the DNR's biased and wrongful recommendation to local governments, and their suppression of critical information on non-lethal alternatives.
🔴 Say NO to DNR promoting archery hunting and firearm sharpshooting in our residential areas. 
🟢 Say YES to humane alternatives and the effective, science-based solution of sterilization. 
 
📢 Add your name today and help protect our community, wildlife and public safety through proven, compassionate and effective humane solutions.

🖊️ PLEASE SIGN and SHARE
this petition to help us urge the State of Michigan to do the right thing and implement effective, non-lethal alternatives for deer management in suburban/urban environments, while protecting our communities from DNR's plan of introducing the dangers of hunting and sharpshooting in residential areas.

🔗 Learn more:

Michigan DNR Report on Sterilization (PDF)

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Executive/Legislative-Reports/FY-2022/Sec-40114-9-PA-390-of-2018-Report-on-Sterilization-of-Game.pdf​

www.CliftonDeer.org - Effective, Humane Urban Deer Sterilization Solutions

www.AdvocatesforMichiganWildlife.org