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Deer Management
City of Beachwood 2025–2026 Deer Management Plan
The City of Beachwood continues its commitment to humanely and effectively managing our growing white-tailed deer population. In partnership with the cities of Shaker Heights and South Euclid, the 2025–2026 Deer Management Plan expands our existing efforts to balance public safety, ecological health, and community values.
Over the past three years, Beachwood has successfully used professional deer culling (lethal removal) as part of its management strategy. During that time, 230 deer were removed, resulting in over 9,000 pounds of venison donated — providing more than 36,500 meals to those in need.
2025–2026 Season Update
This season, Beachwood is broadening its approach by incorporating surgical sterilization, a non-lethal fertility control method, alongside ongoing culling. City Council voted to approve this strategy during its October 20 meeting. This hybrid strategy aims to humanely manage the herd and stabilize the population over time.
Surgical Sterilization Program:
- In January 2026, for four nights, licensed veterinarians and capture professionals managed by White Buffalo Inc., an ecosystem and wildlife population research consultant, will: Anesthetize, sterilize, and tag female deer within Beachwood, Shaker Heights, and South Euclid.
- White Buffalo President, Dr. Anthony J. DeNicola, estimates that this first year of sterilization will help reduce herd growth by lowering the birth rate.
- Over time, the deer population is expected to stabilize and gradually decline through natural attrition, influenced by regional migration patterns.
- Once the program is complete, the city will provide a detailed report on this year’s deer management efforts.
Opt-Out Requests:
Residents who do not wish to allow deer capture activities (including tracking) on their property may opt out by filling out this form. The city will maintain a record of all opt-out properties.
Continued Culling Operations:
In addition to fertility control, Beachwood will continue targeted culling operations during December 2025.
- Trained marksmen from Precision Wildlife Management, Ltd., under the supervision of the Beachwood Police Department, will conduct sharpshooting:
- On public lands and private properties where permission has been granted.
- In safe, controlled environments, to ensure the humane removal of deer.
- Areas under active management will display “Warning: Deer Management Area – Do Not Enter” signage.
- Beachwood Police officers will maintain radio contact with sharpshooting teams to ensure public safety.
- If any individual inadvertently enters an operational area, culling activities will pause immediately until the area is clear.
- All harvested deer are processed and donated to local food banks, continuing the city’s commitment to community service and sustainability.
Resident Input:
A Residential Deer Management Survey is distributed each year to collect community feedback regarding the city’s approach and future direction of the program. The input of Beachwood residents plays a vital role in shaping ongoing efforts to balance safety, ecological stewardship, and humane wildlife management.
2025 Residential Survey Results
Deer Management Power Point 8/4/2025
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources developed our Deer Management Plan. The goal of a deer management program is to establish a deer population that maximizes recreational opportunity while minimizing conflicts with agriculture, motor travel and personal safety. A deer management program will not, nor is it intended to, eliminate the deer population. There is a maximum number of animals that an area’s native and cultivated resources can support without degradation to the animal’s health and environment.
In 2021, the City of Beachwood contracted with USDA ASHPIS Wildlife Services to conduct a white-tail deer count in the City of Beachwood.
USDA ASHPIS Wildlife Services White-Tail Deer Count 2021 (PDF)
Since the creation of our deer management plan, we have been collecting valuable insights from our residents through our deer management surveys. Your continued participation helps us better understand the impact of the deer population on our community and helps us determine our management strategies. We value your input and encourage you to participate in our efforts.
Below you will find our past survey results:
2025 Residential Survey (PDF)
2024 Residential Survey (PDF)
2023 Residential Survey (PDF)
2021 Residential Survey (PDF)
2018 Residential Survey (PDF)
To be effective, deer management should be handled collaboratively and across city borders. It is important to know that all but two of Beachwood’s neighbors have deer management programs. If Beachwood does nothing, the deer population is estimated to grow by 25% each year.
Therefore, Beachwood has partnered with the City of Shaker Heights which has extensive experience in this area. Shaker Heights has been working with Precision Wildlife Management since 2016. By partnering with Shaker, Beachwood is able to share expenses and manage the situation in a coordinated manner.
Precision Wildlife Management Contract 2022 - 2023 (PDF)
Precision Wildlife Management Contract 2023 - 2024 (PDF)
End of the Season Reports:
End of the Season Report 2022-2023
End of the Season Report 2023-2024
End of the Season Report 2024-2025
Generally the management season begins the first week in December and end the last week in March. “Do Not Enter – Deer Management Area” signs will be posted where management operations will occur. Owner and former Shaker Heights police officer James Mariano will handle the tactical work, along with his team. He was a SWAT precision marksman prior to becoming a SWAT commander. He uses a suppressor for sound reduction, and he communicates regularly with the police departments.
Bait (apples and corn) is used to concentrate deer in desired locations, typically in areas where deer generally congregate. No fawns are involved in the program.
Safety: Whenever possible, deer management operations will occur at night when most people are in their homes. Residents will be alerted to the timing of management activity and signs will be posted. Clean up is handled immediately and completely and the harvest is donated to local food banks.
When the tactical team is involved with operations, there is a trained marksman focusing on the target and another focused on the surroundings. This two-person approach is done for safety purposes and allows the team to recognize any possible sources of interference. Safety measures are in place to prevent citizens from wandering into the operation area. In the event of an unauthorized entry, NO shots will be fired.
At the end of the management season, Mariano will provide a report to the Beachwood’s Safety Committee of Council, then another residential survey will be distributed during each summer, which will be used to guide future decision making as it relates to deer management.
- How does the Deer Sterilization Program work?
- What is the city’s deer management program?
- Why is the city culling deer?
- What is done with the culled deer?
- Can the city use nonlethal methods to manage the deer population?
- Why can't we just plant unpalatable landscaping plantings or use repellents to deter the deer?
- How can I protect my garden from the deer?