Parma police kicks off second year of deer culling program

PARMA, Ohio - A year after Parma police culled nearly 150 deer, the city earlier this month restarted the fall-winter program at various locations throughout the community.

"This is all part of the five-year plan designed with ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)," said Parma Police Lt. Nathan Savetski, the SWAT Team commander who runs the deer culling program.

"Our permit runs from Oct. 1 through March 31."

Due to an earlier start, last year's program began in December, the police department hopes its sharpshooters thin the white-tailed deer herd population with ODNR approving 225 permits (deer kills) this season.

Between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., two two-man teams - including a SWAT marksman and spotter armed with binoculars - rotate through different locations in the city.

Culling sites include two areas at the former Parmadale east of State Road and on West Creek Conservancy land off Pleasant Valley Road between York Road and Ridge Road.

There were also city properties near the intersection of Ridge and Pleasant Valley roads, as well as between Sprague Road and Pleasant Valley Road east of Ridge Road.

Nike Site Park and Ridgewood Golf Course were also used.

"We did cull at all of those locations last year, but some areas were more successful than others," he said. "We ran into some limitations with Nike Park and some of the more populated areas, the golf course.

"This year, we're hoping to develop a couple of other locations. Our marksmen have already gone out and scouted some of the city property on the north end of town and are looking at areas off W. 16th Street, Brookdale Avenue and Wexford Avenue. That's a mix of West Creek and city-owned land."

The only change to this year's deer culling program involves the use of modern equipment.

"We are working on developing night-vision capabilities but we're not there yet," he said.

The city also created an online venison pick-up list to take the deer.

Last year, more than 600 residents signed up.

As far as the impact during the first year of deer culling, Savetski said anecdotally he heard as well as observed fewer deer throughout the community.

"In 2023, I reported to ODNR there were 83 vehicle vs deer accidents with 58 service pickups," he said.

"Through Sept. 16, there were 45 vehicle versus deer accidents. I think after this five-year plan, we're going to see the desired results."

Parma Police Chief James I. Blair said he hears from residents on both sides of the deer culling program.

"I see complaints that we're not doing enough and the other side doesn't think that we should be doing it at all, but we've already seen a decrease in vehicle collisions with deer," he said.

"Overpopulated deer also have a potential of spreading disease. So this falls on us because it is a safety issue, but we're not out to eliminate the deer population."