New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. this week reported that the State Legislature has passed legislation he co-sponsored directing the State DEC to report to the State Legislature on deer management practices. The bill passed the State Assembly by a margin of 131-1.

Under the legislation, The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation shall, no later than January 1, 2019, prepare a report to the legislature regarding deer management techniques in urban and suburban areas of the state. Such report, which shall be based on the best available scientific information, shall include:

1. an evaluation of alternative deer control methods, other than traditional hunting, that may be employed to reduce deer population, which may include, but need not be limited to capture and euthanization, capture and removal, and fertility control;
2. methods to mitigate crop, vegetation, and property damage from deer, including vehicle collisions
3. management measures currently taken by the department to minimize conflict between humans and deer;
4. methods to enhance public engagement in and awareness of deer management issues;
5. methods to reduce the spread of wildlife-transmitted illnesses such as Lyme disease;
6. identification and evaluation of urban and suburban areas of the state with high concentrations of deer populations;
7. the basis for the department's current deer population management levels; and
8. review of effective management measures being taken in other states.

Thiele stated, “Deer overpopulation has become an increasing problem throughout the state. Traffic accidents, emptied gardens, and tick-borne illnesses have all resulted due to the increase in the deer population throughout New York. Too often, the State DEC has left the problem to local governments to address. While local governments and communities should have the last word about what happens in their communities on this issue, only the DEC has the resources to address this matter statewide. The DEC needs to be a full partner in this effort. From a public health perspective, the increased incidence of tick-borne disease makes this legislation critically important.”

The bill awaits action by the Governor.