Strongsville Deer Population Brings Bow-Hunting Measure

Strongsville citizens voted to legalize bow-hunting of white-tailed deer to buck overpopulation on Tuesday. The vote passed with 62% in favor.

Hunting within Strongsville is currently prohibited, but according to the City Council's legislation, "the exploding regional deer population urgently requires deer management efforts."

The vote is advisory, meaning nothing is passed into law yet, but the council will likely move forward in amending ordinances, "to permit the limited hunting of white-tailed deer by crossbow or longbow.

The city joins other Northeastern Ohio communities Broadview Heights, North Royalton, Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills by voting in favor of the ordinance.

Overpopulation of deer can cost communities dearly, whether due to the destruction of gardens or the prevalence of vehicular accidents. Last year, an aerial survey of eastern Cleveland found 37 deer per square mile, according to Cleveland.com.

Hunting would restricted to elevated platforms to avoid stray arrows. Also, the permitted areas would be limited to five contiguous acres and the council would require written permission from property owners. Neighbors of the hunting zones would be notified but could not stop hunting in the regions.

Deer culling is a controversial issue with arguments over its effectiveness. North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik doesn't believe culling is a long-term solution, pointing to Solon and Cleveland Metroparks communities who must continuously hunt every year to control population, according to Cleveland.com.

In Brecksville, Mayor Jerry Hruby said nearly two decades of deer culling hasn’t solved every problem, but that there has been a reduction in vehicular accidents and property damage. The city culls between 80 and 90 deer each year, according to Cleveland.com.

Stefanik still wants to pursue non-lethal measures like birth control, but for now, culling will be the solution in Strongsville.