Mayor Walsh Announces Deer Management to Start Week of December 18

Published on December 14, 2023

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced deer management carried out by qualified wildlife managers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin the week of December 18 and continue through the winter. The City of Syracuse will be one of several local municipalities completing deer damage management with the USDA this winter.

The City is continuing targeted removal of deer this season in response to public health and safety concerns. The purpose of the program is to address the impact of deer overpopulation on deer-vehicle accidents; parks, gardens, and the ecosystem; and public health risks, such as Lyme Disease.

The City has issued a frequently asked question sheet, “What Syracuse residents should know about Deer Damage Management.” The sheet is available at goto.syr.gov/factsheet-tickanddeer or by calling the Syracuse Parks Department at (315) 473-4330. More information about Syracuse’s Tick and Deer Management Plan is at syr.gov/tickanddeer.

Suitable sites meeting strict New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) criteria were identified on the east, west and south sides of the city.  Only DEC permitted sites where explicit written permission from the property owners have been provided will be accessed. All sites are either private or closed to public access when work is conducted.

Specially-trained USDA wildlife managers will conduct the work only at night, between the hours of dusk to dawn. All sites are closed to public access when work is conducted. No wildlife management officer should be accessing private property without permission. Residents should call 911 if you see suspicious activity on public or private property at any time. Work will be conducted in the months of December 2023 through March 2024.

City funding for implementation of the Tick and Deer Management Plan is authorized by the Syracuse Common Council. Primary funding is provided by Onondaga County with support from County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II and the Onondaga County Legislature.