Deer Management Program

The Meridian Township Deer Management Program was developed to reduce deer overpopulation in Meridian Township. This program places volunteer archery hunters on select Township and County-owned properties during the regular archery season (October 1st – January 1st). 

The deer management plan was developed in 2011 per the rules of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and has been conducted annually since then. The managed harvest is NOT open to the general public. The program is only open to Township residents. Hunters must be approved by the Township and are tested for proficiency at the MSU Demmer Archery Center. Only approved, qualified, competent, and experienced hunters will be considered to access Township property for the managed harvest.

Parks and Land Preserves remain open during the archery season. Hunting occurs seven days a week, from ½ hour before dawn to ½ hour after dusk. All participating properties are posted at obvious points of entry.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a deadly neurological disease found in the state's free-ranging deer population. Since the discovery of CWD in deer in Meridian Township in May 2015, over 2,000 deer from Meridian Township have been tested for CWD to gauge the extent of the disease across the landscape.

To date, 10 deer in Ingham and Clinton counties have tested positive for the disease, with 5 found in Meridian Township. To date, more than 61,000 deer in Michigan have been tested for chronic wasting disease, and CWD has been confirmed in 120 free-ranging deer in eight Michigan counties: Clinton, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Gratiot, Eaton, and Montcalm.

In summary, the discovery of CWD has somewhat complicated the Meridian Deer Management program because hunters are no longer allowed to use bait to attract deer. This has resulted in a significant drop in deer harvested (seen from 2014 to 2015). In addition, local processors who processed the Township’s deer are no longer participating in the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program due to concerns over CWD. The World Health Organization has advised against consuming venison that is contaminated with CWD, although no link to harmful effects in humans has yet been proven.

Many processors will not accept deer from the core CWD zone to ensure they do not contaminate their equipment, which would have to be thrown out if a CWD-positive deer were processed. MDNR is unsure of when the CWD restrictions can be lifted, but they advised that it will be at least a few more years. Until that time, the closest processor that works with Michigan Sportsmen against Hunger is in Howell. However, many of our hunters donate their venison through other private programs or directly provide venison to families in need. A few local processors will still process deer in the core zone, and then the hunters take it upon themselves to donate the meat to charity.

We created an online survey for community members to inform us about large deer herd sightings that they see within the Township, such as in yards, neighborhoods, parks, or preserves.

Reporting on deer herds helps us better understand their movements within the Township and how they are impacting residents. Results collected from this survey will help determine the implementation of the Deer Management Program. 

To report any deer sightings, please fill out the form below:

Online Deer Reporting Form

Hunters are required to post a Township issued 8"x11" flyer in their car window that states "Meridian Township Deer Management Hunter". The hunters will also carry an identification card and are required to contact the Township Parks Department before entering and when leaving the hunting area.

Anyone who wants to sign up for the hunter waitlist can do so using the link below:

Meridian Township Deer Management Program Hunter Waitlist Sign Up

The over-population of deer has resulted in an increase of damage to landscaping; reports of vehicle/deer accidents; concern for public health; and a disruption to the ecological balance of our natural areas. The hunters have proven to be valuable partners and act as the eyes and ears on Township-owned properties.

We are pleased to continue our partnership with Michigan State University, which is conducting research on the deer and tick population by utilizing our Deer Management Program.

The goal of this research project is to potentially develop a deer-targeted oral drug delivery system to reduce the environmental risk to humans from tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease. This research is based solely on gathering information about the deer and tick populations and the potential dissemination techniques that could be used for the future administration of anti-tick medication.

This year, the study will also begin collecting data on the age structure and sex ratio of the harvested deer. As a result of this collaboration, Meridian Township will benefit from data received, which will provide information on Meridian’s white-tailed deer population as well as the rate of Lyme disease in the Township.

Objectives of the study:

• Quantify questing tick abundance and parasitism of deer.
• Quantify deer and non-target wildlife species use of field sites for potential deployment of oral medication delivery units.
• Quantify consumption rates of a food product designed to deliver medications to white-tailed deer at different times of year.
• Quantify update of a placebo biomarker (rhodamine B) by deer to examine theoretical uptake of medication.
• Communicate project goals and results to Township officials and public.
• Study fawn mortality rates in the Township.
• Quantify the sex ratio and age distribution of the Township deer population.

Michigan State researchers will continue the project through the 2025-2026 deer management season, conducting field reconnaissance prior to the archery season to ensure study sites are chosen with little to no public activity. There will be a total of six to eight study sites across Township lands. The study will remain in effect until May 2026.

Township staff place a high value on research collaboration with Michigan State University, recognizing the benefits that future studies will provide for local wildlife, natural areas, and residents of Meridian Township.

1. What is the Meridian Deer Management program?

The Meridian Deer Management program is the Township’s strategy for managing the local deer population, utilizing resident volunteers with archery/hunting experience and officers from the Meridian Township Police Department to annually harvest 300 deer from Township properties. Since its start in 2011, the program has been successfully reducing the deer-car collisions in the Township, reducing the spread of various zoonotic diseases, and contributing 37,000 pounds of venison to local food systems in and around Meridian Township.

2. How can I participate in the Meridian Township Deer Management Program?

Our program has 43 assigned Township properties that are all currently full. To submit your name for the waiting list, please email meridiandeermanagement@gmail.com or call Land Stewardship Coordinator Emma Campbell at 517.853.4614. We will need your full name, home address, phone number, and email address. Meridian Township parks and land preserves are not open to public hunting.

3. What are the requirements to volunteer in the Deer Management Program?

Placement in the program is limited to Meridian Township residents that are 18+. All hunters must pass a background check, an archery proficiency test, and visit their assigned property at least once a week throughout the entire season (October 1 to January 1). There are minimum participation requirements throughout the hunting season as well.

4. When and where does the management take place?

The Deer Management Program coincides with the archery season, running from October 1 through January 1. Hunting occurs seven days a week from a half hour before dawn to a half hour after dusk. A map of all participating properties can be found on our website, in addition to signage posted at property entrances/exits. The police cull occurs in the first 2-3 weeks of January during the evening hours after parks and preserves are closed.

5. What safety precautions has the Township taken to prevent incidents in the program?

Safety is our number one priority. Hunting is limited to archery only from tree stands, reducing the risk of stray arrows. All hunters are assigned 1-2 specific properties and permits. All hunters are required to pass a background check and a proficiency test. Hunter activity like property check-ins and check-outs, stand locations, harvests, and more are tracked and analyzed carefully by Township staff. Public awareness is communicated through Township press releases, signage, media interviews, and more.

6. Can I hunt on private property in Meridian Township?

Yes, be sure to obtain written landowner permission and follow all State rules and regulations. We are continuing to encourage private property owners in the Township to reach out to us if they would like to include their property in our management program to reduce the deer population in places outside our current management areas. If you would like to contribute your private property harvests and/or data to our management program, please reach out so we can offer resources in exchange for your contributions!

7. What do the hunters do with the venison?

Each volunteer hunter is required to donate their first harvest. Afterwards, they are allowed to keep any additional harvests, but they are responsible for the processing. Other harvests are tested and processed through Hunters Feeding Michigan. The venison is then donated to 14+ food banks and pantries local to Meridian Township, and we have successfully donated 37,000 pounds of venison since the beginning of the program.

8. How many reported deer car collisions occur in Meridian Township?

One way we measure our program’s success is through the state reported deer car collisions within the Township. Since we added the police cull to the program in 2020, deer car collisions have reduced by 50.3%, going from 153 collisions in 2019 to 77 collisions in 2024.

9. Who can I call to report a dead deer along the roadway?

Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Department at 517.853.4600.

10. How can I remove a dead deer from my yard?

Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Department at 517.853.4600.

11. I believe someone is poaching on my property or illegally feeding deer, who do I call?

Michigan Department of Natural Resources RAP line (Report All Poaching) 800.292.7800.