Deer will be hunted in the city limits of Lansing to test for Chronic Wasting Disease. Lansing Parks and Recreation Director Brett Kaschinske announced today that his department will cooperate with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) as the state wildlife agency conducts a safe and scientific deer removal within the city limits.
"Lansing and Lansing Township are of great concern given that we've identified the disease north, east and west of the metro area," said MDNR's Chad Stewart, who serves as the agency's deer, elk and moose specialist. "Further complicating matters is the extensive network of parks, trails, and greenspaces that serve as a home to seemingly many deer in the area. With few opportunities existing to manage these deer through traditional methods such as hunting, we need to incorporate another tool to achieve a better understanding of whether this disease may be present locally, and if so, how prevalent it is."
A statement from the city says that starting in December, the MDNR will conduct a limited deer removal in selected areas. Thos areas will be closed to the public during the hunt. The statement says "The removal will be conducted at night by expert sharpshooters on larger parcels of city-owned property. All appropriate precautions will be taken to ensure public safety during the operations."
All deer taken in Lansing will be tested for Chronic Wasting Disease. Those deer where CWD is not identified will be utilized for food through the donation program Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger, which works with food pantries to pay for and distribute venison to those who need it most.
A public meeting will be held by Lansing Parks and Recreation on Monday, November 13 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Foster Community Center gymnasium. MDNR Wildlife Division experts will explain their concerns about CWD and the need to obtain a scientific sample of Lansing's deer population to determine if the disease is present within the city limits. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff will also be in attendance to explain the methods that will be used to remove the deer.
