Concerns grow over Mill Creek controlled deer hunting program
Youngstown & Mahoning Valley - Editor's Note: Mill Creek Metropark officials returned 21 News' phone calls the day after the story aired. Nick Durico, Natural Resource Manager's comments are added to the story below.
It's the debate over the deer population in Mill Creek Metroparks that's divided the park board and members of the community.
While the park board plans to vote on a controlled hunting program to thin out the population, one group is arguing the number of deer in the park isn't a problem. 21 News spoke with those concerned about the future of the deer and why they say the park board should put the breaks on that plan.
The clock is ticking to April 10, the day the Mill Creek Metroparks board will vote on a controlled hunting program to thin out the number of deer in the park. Recent data revealed the population of deer is more than 19 times higher than the recommended amount.
'Friends of MCP Deer' is a group wanting to protect the deer population don't agree with the numbers the study shows.
"They have a population, not an overpopulation," said Denny Malloy, Regional Director with Whitetails Unlimited. "I think they're ridiculous numbers. I've looked at other areas, other parts of the country, and there's no way in the world that data is correct."
This group is disagreeing with the park's recent data that shows an average of 387 deer per square mile within the park. They say when they walk through, they don't see that many deer, and a lot of people are saying they should reevaluate that data.
"They want to go from 387 per square mile, and that's an average, to 10-20 deer per square mile," explained Mickey Drabison with Friends of MCP Deer. "So, by their numbers, they want to kill 360 deer, if they can. We're not going to sit back and pretend we didn't hear it. We're allowed to ask questions."
Nick Durico, Natural Resource Manager with the park told 21 News the survey was conducted by a 3rd party contractor and the park had no part of the data review.
"Aerial infrared surveys have been used for decades and it is a very common technique to be used," Durico said. He explained the camera imaging was conducted during the month of January in 2022 in the "best possible conditions." The survey was done at a constant altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet above ground with 10 degree temperatures. Therefore, the park is confident the data is accurate.
Denny Malloy has been a deer biologist for over 30 years said the public should ask for more time to complete another survey and the park should then initiate a management plan. Then they could potentially consider hunting where needed.
"There are some parts of the area that can be hunted," Malloy said. "The only thing that will remove deer besides man would be Goodyear tires on cars and disease. We don't want the disease route because when that happens, that'll wipe out the whole population."
Malloy added an urban deer population isn't unique but the data should be evaluated. He said deer disease is not caused by a large amount of deer population but could be spread quicker with higher populations. Malloy added the sportsman community wants to work with the park board on this issue.
"No survey method is 100%, but the surveyor himself gave 85% confidence with the deer population survey," Durico added. The park also conducted trail camera surveys in select locations, including Hitchcock Woods and Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and that data also shows high numbers. "They tell the same story," Durico said.
Yvonne Laret has always felt a connection to her late mother when she sees deer in her yard. She, along with 80 other passionate residents in Tuesday's meeting wants the animals to be protected.
"It's pulling at my heartstrings," Laret said to 21 News. "She would sit at the kitchen table and look out in the woods behind us and just wait for the deer. She would be here. She would be here speaking her voice and her opinion because it would just kill her to see this."
People in the meeting mentioned the pandemic brought humans closer to wildlife living around their properties, and residents would be 'traumatized' to see the animals go.
Park officials say the thinning of the deer population is needed because of their effect on other species and their feeding habits, which could cause drastic and permanent impacts on the environment.
Malloy encouraged residents to reach out to a variety of wildlife agencies to see how the data can be reevaluated.
"The park says they have to do this," Drabison explained. "But, they're still going by the assumptions the deer will kill all of the plants, the trees aren't growing and the park is going to 'die.' In East Euclid, ODNR harvested 60 deer and it cost $31,000. We're talking 1,900 deer to shoot here if they get their wish. I don't think they're going to get it."
Durico confirmed the Mill Creek Metroparks Board plans to vote on the controlled hunting program on April 10.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but the park needs to rely on the research and must manage natural resources in a sustainable fashion," Durico concluded.
"There is a reasonable way to do this," Malloy added. "Unfortunately it's going to involve some form of management but we need to engage the sportsman community that understands the predator pray relationship."
Durico said the park has no intentions of performing any additional surveys before a vote is taken on April 10.
