Deer Management Opposers Display Disdain Through Literature

Some in the city have long disagreed with the city's deer management program, but now a group is distributing its message to homeowners as deer season begins. 

A group named Mentor Deer distributed the following flier in hopes of gaining residential support against the program.

"Bow hunting is one of the most inhumane ways to kill a deer," the literature reads. "Twenty-two published scientific surveys and studies (many conducted by state wildlife agencies) show that the average wounding rate for bow hunting is 50 percent. Mentor residents have reported seeing wounded deer, blood pools and dead deer on their property as a result of our city's recent deer slaughter."

A group member sent a digital version of the brochure to Mentor Patch, but did not reply to emails seeking additional information.

City Manager Ken Filipiak announced in March that the city spent more than $110,000 on culling and killing since the program launched in 2012. The program resulted in the culling of 212 deer and 131 deer killed by bow hunters.

The group fears that the city will kill more this year, though Filipiak said that many residents have been in favor of it and expressed as much in city surveys. He reiterated that the city views it as a long-term solution and that the population would pick back up if the city ceased its efforts.

What are your views on the deer management program? Have your feelings changed since last year? Let us know in the comments.