Avon Lake City Council Learns Deer Survey Results

AVON LAKE, OH — Residents of Avon Lake were asked how about the city's deer population and how much of an impact it has on their property, the results of that survey were presented to city council on August 15th.

John Shondel, Avon Lake council-at-large told cleveland.com that the survey should be done every year to establish trends. This year is the first year for the survey.

766 surveys were completed online with an additional 156 submitted on paper.

Here are some of the results from the cleveland.com survey:

Among the results were the following:
• 70.7 % of respondents said the deer population is increasing.
• The same number said they would like to see the deer population decrease.
• 82.2% saw at least 1.39 deer per day.
• 72.5% said damage was primarily to their perennial plants such as shrubs.
• 63.3% said annual flowers were primarily damaged.
• 56.9% said damage was primarily in their gardens.
• 38.1% said they have almost hit a deer on the road.
• 59% said they have tried deer repellants. The next highest category tried was fencing at 48%.
• Total estimated damage included 379 estimates totaling $123,289. Average was $326.16 per estimate. Actual reported individual damage was up to $3,500.
On what lethal control should be allowed:
• 50% favor controlled bow hunting and 46% favor sharpshooting. The remainder favored, in order, gun hunting, trap and kill, use of Division of Wildlife deer damage control permits and using open bow hunting.

Shondel said that he and public works director Joseph Reitz will have a proposal ready to present to city council after October 1st for the 2016 deer season.

For more, visit cleveland.com.

Image by Shenandoah National Park, Flickr CC 2.0