Following up on the Deer Management Summit meeting held February 19 at City Hall, the City Council voted to establish a Deer Management Study Group at its March 25 meeting. 

By Bill Lawyer  

Following up on the Deer Management Summit meeting held February 19 at City Hall, the City Council voted to establish a Deer Management Study Group at its March 25 meeting.  

At the summit, many residents expressed alarm and concern about Rye and Mamaroneck being “over-run” by deer. They cited destruction of plantings, collisions with vehicles, and the threat of Lyme disease and other illnesses.  

And they demanded that something be done.  

As proposed by Mayor Joe Sack, the Study Group would keep the Council appraised of any important developments regarding steps to decrease the impact of the growing deer population on Rye’s human population.  

One such development will be the County’s plans to set up a controlled hunt for deer at the Marshlands Conservancy in the fall, during hunting season.  

Mayor Sack said that the Study Group would help the Council frame the issues regarding management proposals, and “tee up any decision points.”  

Rye residents Jana Seitz, Ed Collins, and Ann Dooley were appointed to the committee. Seitz is Vice President of the Friends of Edith Read Sanctuary.  She enjoys kayaking and other outdoor activities.

 

Dooley, who lives in Greenhaven, which, like many parts of Rye, is experiencing a deer explosion, has actively worked to reduce the impact of deer coming from the adjacent Marshlands Preserve. Collins, is affiliated with the Campfire Conservation Organization, and is an avid outdoorsman.

In an email response to the paper, Collins wrote: “The task force hopes to gather relevant and rational input and make suggestions that will address the deer overpopulation issue and appeal to a majority of Rye residents. We would hope to have some sort of formative statement, if needed, after we convene on April 9.”