Deer Survey & Discussion about what to do about deer tonight 2/18/2026 at the Whetstone Community Center 6:30 pm

[Debbie Shaw]

If this was posted to the group before this, I must have missed it.

I just heard from a friend that there will be a discussion about what to do about the deer and results of the survey tonight at 6:30.  The attached link has more details.  I did the RSVP and got the response below, which implies you must have a registration/number to get in. I hope I feel well enough to go (not contagious or sick - other stuff) 

Thanks for completing "Community Conversation on Deer Population Management RSVP"

Your receipt number is 121.

From the link below:  On Wednesday, February 18, Council and the Department of Neighborhoods will be hosting a community conversation to explore the different deer management approaches with subject-matter experts. The conversation will be held at the Whetstone Community Center starting at 6:30 p.m. You can RSVP in the form below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Jacob Dilley at jadi...@columbus.gov. If you would like to read more on deer management, please visit ODNR's website.

Debbie Shaw

435 Walhalla

[Pari Sabety]

Hi everybody!  

In case you weren't able to make the meeting tonight, here are my notes.  It was basically an education meeting for us to learn about the alternatives available in a deer management program.  Notes below are from the group of 12 of which I was a part, although all presenters did a "round robin" to address all groups:

NOTES ON CITY OF COLUMBUS DEER “CONVERSATION”

February 18, 2026

Whetstone Rec Center

Audience:  About 120 people

City Council Welcome:  Nancy Day Achauer

MC:  Jacob Dilley, NDA’s legislative aide

1. Review of Study findings.  OSU reviewed findings of the study available at this link. Major conclusion was that 80% of the respondents were from Clintonville and had 80% of the issues. Rest of city was "meh" about it all.

2. Purpose of this meeting is to discuss the deer situation in Clintonville. The attendees will be broken into groups to learn about and discuss three possible deer management strategies that the city could undertake.  This is an education session, no conclusions to be reached:

   1. Implementing and enforcing a “no feeding” deer ordnance

   2. Starting a “targeted removal” program

   3. Standing up an “urban archery” program

3. Discussion (in my group)

   1. No Feeding Ordnance (discussion leader:  Jacob Dilly)

      • Would be a misdemeanor to feed deer

      • Would serve as a deterrent to deer

      • Many stories of people feeding deer in neighborhood and dangers of deer entering neighboring homes of those who are feeding from their back doors or porches.  

      • A person observed that deer might be coming to Columbus because of no feeding ordinances adopted in surrounding communities, like UA, Worthington, etc. about 5 years ago, which would coincide with the huge leap in population.

      • 10 of 12 people in my group would want a “no feeding” ordnance

   2. Targeted Removal (aka Sharpshooter or Culling Program) (discussion leader:  ODNR Wildlife Program Lead for Deer Management)

      • In these programs, a highly trained marksman is deployed to remove deer

      • “Bait and shoot” is utilized

      • One lethal shot in head

      • Cost is $130+ per deer for shooting, plus processing costs

      • City would need to pay for shooters, as well as processing

      • Community gets to decide where the meat goes–typically to food banks

      • State uses Ohio Prison Industries to process their deer kills

      • To maintain population, 60-65% of deer must be removed each season.  This means that if we have a herd of 100 deer, even if you remove 60-65 of them this year, the herd will be back up to 100 next year.

      • 7of 12 people in my group would support targeted removal

   3. Urban Archery Program (discussion leader:  ODNR leader for urban deer management programs in Akron/NE Ohio)

      • Archery is preferred because it has less noise and can be easier to target in tight quarters

      • Deer are shot in the heart so bleed-out is quick and sudden (1-2 minutes)

      • Archer could be homeowner, friend or a select group, depending on how the municipality writes the ordnance

      • He advises all groups to use an application process and do background checks to assure that archers are qualified, trained, and do not have criminal records.

      • Cost is much cheaper–archers will typically pay city for the permit to hunt.

      • Archer gets the meat and takes care of all processing.

      • Meat is distributed as the archer decides–could be used personally, for family and friends, or donated, his or her choice

      • Archery programs may not take off in some cities if there are not enough local archers or hunters with an interest.  He counsels cities to start both a culling program and an urban archery program at the same time.

Let me know if you have questions.

[Libby Wetherholt]

Thank you, Pari. Excellent notes!  You heard a couple of things my group wasn’t told. I think we all need to appreciate Council Nember Day-Achauer for taking on this issue because we all know Mayor Ginther has always said there is no deer problem in Columbus. 

I was sorry to see such a poor attendance rate for CAC commissioners. 

Sent from Gmail Mobile Please excuse my typos

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