The Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition (SEMIUDC) — a regional partnership that includes the cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills and Southfield — has released results of its first year of coordinated deer management operations conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services (USDA-WS). These cities are the first municipalities within the regional coalition to implement a coordinated deer management effort, with additional communities expected to participate in future phases of a long-term strategy to reduce deer impact and bring deer herd to a healthier population size.

 

Prior to the start of this year’s effort, experts from the USDA surveyed several sites selected by the cities to determine locations at which deer removal would be effective and safe. To limit public disturbance and impact on the community, the USDA-WS operated at night in locations that were closed to the public and focused on designated areas within the cities where deer activity and population levels have been documented as particularly high. The program was carried out by trained USDA-WS professionals according to established safety protocols. 

 

Calendar year 2026 marked the first time USDA-WS conducted field operations on behalf of the coalition. This milestone follows several years of data collection, research, and planning, including studies conducted by students from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, and ongoing collaboration among members cities and organizations.

 

Program Outcomes:

·         70 white‑tailed deer removed across Farmington, Farmington Hills and Southfield

·         2,312 pounds of venison donated to local food banks, processed with support from Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program

·         More than 9,240 meals provided to communities in need

·         Nighttime operations conducted primarily on city‑owned properties to ensure safety and minimize public disturbance

 

This regional approach reflects the reality that deer move freely across municipal boundaries. By coordinating efforts, the coalition aims to reduce deer-vehicle collisions, improve public safety and address ecological impacts across the broader area.

 

In a joint statement, coalition participating cities shared: “We recognize that residents have a range of perspectives on deer management. This first-year effort represents one part of a long-term, data-driven strategy to reduce collisions, protect natural areas and respond to ongoing community concerns.”

 

Challenges and Next Steps

The report identifies several challenges, including limited access to private property, weather‑related impacts on deer movement and the need for dedicated staffing to support regional coordination. Recommendations for future years include:

·         Expanding access to private parcels

·         Considering additional management tools, such as urban archery where appropriate

·         Strengthening enforcement of deer‑feeding bans

·         Continuing community education and outreach

 

As additional coalition cities prepare to participate in future phases, the regional program will continue to evolve as part of the ongoing work of the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition. The coalition, comprised of communities and organizations across a seven-county region, works to responsibly manage wildlife while maintaining the safety and well-being of communities and the environment. They will continue to evaluate data, refine strategies, and engage residents as the long-term effort progresses.

 

The SEMIUDC Regional Report-2026 will be available on the website of participating cities.

 

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