Campus notice: UM-Dearborn deer cull Feb. 26 to Mar. 6

The following is from our neighbor, the University of Michigan Dearborn. Henry Ford College shares this announcement as a public service. HFC is not involved in this activity.

UM-Dearborn has received approval from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct a deer cull over a 10-day period starting Saturday, February 26 and ending Sunday, March 6. This time period coincides with UM-D's spring break. The cull will be performed by a state-licensed and DNR-approved animal management company.

The safety of the campus and surrounding community is the number-one priority during the cull. The Department of Public Safety has a comprehensive plan which will be implemented during the cull times.

The purpose of the cull is to protect the university’s Environmental Study Area (ESA), a 300-plus acre natural area along the eastern shore of the Rouge River that includes a unique variety of natural habitats, from degradation due to the unsustainable deer population. In addition to sustaining the ESA, the cull will help reduce the risk of deer ticks and car-deer collisions on and near campus.

During the cull, public access to the trails and natural areas along the Rouge River will be restricted during the afternoon and evening hours. You may also notice an increased police presence.

Additional information about the cull—including safety precautions, why the cull is necessary, data regarding the increased deer population and its effects on the natural area—can be found on the Um-Dearborn website.

If you have any questions regarding the cull, please reach out to one of us.

Claudia Walters UM-D Director, Environmental Interpretive Center

Bryan Dadey UM-D Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs

Gary Gorski UM-D Chief of Police