Deer Task Force

Did you know it is harmful to feed deer?

A Special Town Board meeting was held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 6pm at West Seneca West Senior High School, 3330 Seneca Street. The Deer Task Force presented their recommendations to the Town Board and the Town Board answered questions from the public. (Presentation)

The Deer Management Plan with attachments completed May 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding West Seneca Deer

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Based on a growing concern with deer and human interactions in West Seneca, the Town Board surveyed the community in March, and as a result, appointed a Deer Task Force in April 2021. The volunteer Deer Task Force is charged with gathering information regarding what Town citizens were reporting as problems, conducting a transparent review of issues and potential solutions, considering the costs of a deer management program, methods for measuring and monitoring program successes, and making recommendations to the Town Board as to how the Town should proceed in addressing the reported issues.The resolution for the creation of the Task Force is here: Resolution: Creation of a West Seneca Deer Task Force

2022 Meetings Schedule:

  • January 18, 6pm Public Comment meeting location to be determine. After this meeting in person public comment will no longer be available as the Task Force shapes recommendations for the Town
  • February 16, 6:30pm in the WS Community Center
  • March 16, 6:30pm in the WS Community Center
  • April 20, 6:30pm in the WS Community Center

Residents Perceptions of White-tailed Deer in West Seneca Survey Summary of Key Results and Update on Task Force Activities, January 2022

Resident Perceptions of Deer in West Seneca, preliminary survey results as of 11/16/2021

Press Release: WS Deer Task Force Makes Public Health and Safety Awareness Announcement 

Deer Task Force Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Town facilitated an introductory survey in February 2021, and those results are here: Deer Control Suggestions - Public Survey Results

Deer Studies and Links

Community-Based Deer Management, Kristina Ferrare, Forestry Program Specialist, CCE Onondaga County

Suburban Deer Management and Community Response, Ryan Rockefeller, Wildlife Biologist 1 - Big Game,NYSDEC

Living with Suburban Deer: An Overview of the Issues, Dr. Robin Foster, wildlife biologist and Saundra Mercado, NYS licensed wildlife rehabilitator

Local Communities Deer Management Programs, Sheri Courteau

Initial Survey Comment Review, Amanda Escobar

Community Deer Management, Jonathan Brotka

Police calls for deer 2015 - 2020

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Deer Management Program

Members
Cynnie Gaasch, Facilitator
Sheri Courteau
Jonathan Brotka
Jim Hinton
Robin Foster, PhD
Amanda Escobar
Mary Earsing
Peter Holdsworth
Brittany Hernon
Joe Cantafio, Town Councilman