Deer Management Program

Deer have adapted to living in our yards and park system. Unfortunately, they also have adapted to eating our landscaping and damaging our property, making them a nuisance animal. View FAQ about the deer population in Shaker. 

Deer Management

City Council's Wildlife Task Force oversees the City's annual deer management program, which seeks to maintain a healthy and ecologically sustainable population of deer within City limits. The program includes an annual questionnaire for residents and annual culling. Since the 2018-2019 culling season, the City has used a contractor, Precision Wildlife Management, which was founded by retired Shaker Heights Police Lieutenant James Mariano.

2025-2026 Program

For the upcoming season, in addition to culling, the City is joining other Eastside suburban communities in managing the white-tailed deer population through fertility control.  

 In January 2026, veterinarians and capture professionals managed by White Buffalo Inc., an ecosystem and wildlife population research consultant, will be anesthetizing, sterilizing and tagging female deer in Shaker Heights. The specific dates and locations in Shaker are to be determined.

White Buffalo President Anthony J. DeNicola, PhD, has estimated that the first year of operation will significantly restrict herd growth through the reduction of the birth rate. The deer population should stabilize and then gradually decline over time through natural attrition, with the rate of attrition depending in part on deer migration patterns.

Residents may opt out of allowing any capture activities, including tracking, from occurring on their property. Records will be kept for all properties that “opt out” of allowing this activity on their property. If you would like to opt-out please fill out the opt-out form. 

In addition to the sterilization effort, Shaker will continue a program of culling the local herd. During December 2025, trained marksmen from contractor Precision Wildlife Management, Ltd., under the direction of the Shaker Heights Police Department, will conduct sharpshooting on public lands and on private property when allowed by property owners and where deer can be harvested safely and humanely.

Signs that read “Warning: Deer Management Area, Do Not Enter” where deer management operations occur and radio contact with SHPD officers on patrol will prevent citizens from wandering into the operational area. In the event of an unauthorized entry into the area, no shots are fired and individuals are asked to leave. Culled deer are transported to a processor for dressing and preparation for donation to a local food bank.

The benefits of a combined approach of culling and sterilization are: 

  • Culling continues to provide immediate, short-term population reduction
  • Sterilization prevents future births. Sterilizing 15 does can prevent the birth of up to 225 fawns over their lifetime of ten years.
  • Regional collaboration with other Eastside suburbs

Results of a 2025 resident questionnaire indicated that 70.51% of respondents described deer in Shaker as abundant or over-abundant. The percentage of respondents who want to see a decrease in the number of deer in Shaker was 70.51 in 2025 and has remained above 63% since the question was first asked in 2015.

 Visit frequently asked questions to learn more. 

Managing Deer Damage

The Wildlife Task Force endorses the following two recommendations from the Ohio Division of Wildlife to help prevent deer damage to your property:

  • Scare devices and techniques - Probably the simplest and least expensive method is the use of streamers, flags, aluminum pie pans, or any other object that will move in the breeze or reflect natural or artificial light. Unfortunately, studies have shown that scare tactics are not very effective.
  • Chemical Repellents - Chemical repellents act on a deer’s sense of smell and taste to reduce, but not eliminate, plant damage. Home and garden centers carry a wide assortment. Repellents should be applied before damage occurs, applied often and switched frequently. They are most effective under low deer density situations. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s guidelines and procedures closely and be aware that application to edible plants may render them unfit for human consumption if applied at the wrong time.  

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources offers more tips for avoiding (or at least managing) deer damage.

Animal Warden

If a deer is somehow trapped inside your yard, call the City's animal warden at 216-491-1490. If you discover a fawn, leave it alone; the mother is likely nearby and will return. Please contact the police only if you find an injured deer to provide the deer’s location.