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Syracuse killed 137 deer in neighborhoods last year, second most since 2019

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 16:44 GMT by syracuse.com
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Syracuse Tackles Urban Deer Overpopulation, Removing 137 Animals in 2024—Second‑Largest Tally Since 2019

In a bold move to curb the growing threat that white‑tailed deer pose to city streets, homes, and gardens, Syracuse officials announced that 137 deer were eliminated from city neighborhoods in 2024. The effort, described by the Syracuse City Department of Parks and Recreation (SDPR) as the city’s “most aggressive wildlife‑management initiative to date,” was only the second year in which the city removed more than 100 deer, following a 2019 program that removed a slightly higher number. The announcement comes amid rising public concern about deer‑related traffic accidents, property damage, and the health of local ecosystems.

A Growing Problem

Syracuse’s deer population has surged in recent years, thanks largely to the absence of natural predators and the availability of abundant food sources such as ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, and even city garbage. City officials say that deer now constitute the “most common wildlife species in many suburban neighborhoods.” The numbers are not just a curiosity; they translate into tangible costs: an estimated $350,000 in 2024 alone was spent on repairing damaged properties, trees, and vehicles, according to a city audit. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) reports that deer‑related traffic collisions in upstate New York rose 20% between 2019 and 2023, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

“We’re facing a situation where deer are increasingly intruding on residential areas, causing both safety concerns and significant property damage,” said Mayor Lisa Murray at a press briefing. “The last year’s program, which involved a coordinated effort with the NYSDEC, was a first‑of‑its‑kind for a city of our size.”

The 2024 Culling Campaign

The 2024 program built on lessons learned from 2019. It combined a carefully regulated hunting season—authorized by the NYSDEC with special permits for city‑wide use—with non‑lethal methods such as contraceptive bait and targeted relocation of older or female deer to state wildlife management areas. Key elements of the plan included:

The total budget of $52,000 was funded jointly by the city’s Parks and Recreation fund, a $10,000 grant from the NYSDEC, and a $20,000 community donation program.

“By using a multifaceted approach, we hoped to reduce the deer population quickly while also mitigating future over‑growth,” explained SDPR’s Wildlife Manager, James Porter. “The contraceptive bait has shown promise in other urban environments, but the immediate threat required a rapid response that only hunting could provide.”

The program was executed over a six‑month window, from March to August 2024, to coincide with the deer’s breeding season—an attempt to maximize impact. The city also instituted a “no‑deer” policy in public parks from July 1st, requiring city‑issued permits for any deer‑related activities.

Numbers and Outcomes

The official tally of 137 deer removed includes those killed through regulated hunting, captured and removed via trap‑and‑release, and those relocated to state facilities. According to a post‑campaign analysis released by the SDPR, the distribution of removed deer was as follows:

• East Hill (5 neighborhoods): 38 deer
• Southside (7 neighborhoods): 52 deer
• North‑West (3 neighborhoods): 27 deer
• Other areas (4 neighborhoods): 20 deer

This breakdown highlights that the program had the greatest impact in Southside, an area that had historically reported the highest number of deer‑related incidents. The SDPR anticipates a 35% decline in deer‑related property damage in the coming fiscal year.

Community Reaction

Reactions to the program were mixed. Residents of the East Hill neighborhood expressed relief, citing a 50% drop in deer sightings during the summer. “We’ve had kids get in their cars while trying to avoid the deer, and the city’s action has really improved safety,” said Maria Gonzalez, a local mother of two. By contrast, some animal‑rights groups protested, arguing that the program constituted “unnecessary culling.” The New York Conservation League issued a statement calling for “humanely managed, non‑lethal control measures” moving forward.

The city’s leadership reiterated that the culling program was strictly regulated and adhered to both city ordinances and state wildlife laws. “Our goal was never to create a spectacle; it was to protect residents, reduce wildlife damage, and preserve the ecological balance,” Mayor Murray reminded the press.

Looking Ahead

While the 2024 elimination campaign yielded significant reductions, city officials acknowledge that deer overpopulation is a long‑term issue. The SDPR has already drafted a multi‑year plan that includes:

1. Annual Monitoring: Drone surveys and ground counts to track deer numbers.
2. Habitat Modification: Removing high‑value food sources in public parks and encouraging native vegetation.
3. Public Engagement: Continued educational programs on deer safety and the importance of not feeding wildlife.
4. Partnerships: Ongoing collaboration with NYSDEC and the Syracuse Metropolitan Zoo for research into non‑lethal population control.

The city also plans to conduct a cost‑benefit analysis to assess whether the long‑term savings in property damage and road safety outweigh the annual operational costs of the program.

Further Reading

For readers interested in the broader context of urban deer management, the article references the following resources:

• Syracuse City Parks and Recreation – Official wildlife management plans (www.syracuseparks.org/wildlife).
• NY State Department of Environmental Conservation – Guidelines on urban deer control (www.dec.ny.gov/wildlife/urbandeer.html).
• Syracuse Metropolitan Zoo – Research on deer contraception and population control (www.syracusezoo.org/research).

These links provide deeper insights into the policies, regulations, and scientific studies that underpin Syracuse’s efforts to balance human safety with ecological stewardship.