Deer Management Plan For Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park announced that it will be preparing a management plan to address overpopulation of white-tailed deer.  An environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared and the preliminary management options are:  landscape management, fencing, reproductive control, direct reduction, or a combination of these options.  The use of hunters is not mentioned because hunting is not permitted in the Park.  However, the Park should  “contract” people with hunting skills to assist them in any reduction plan.  The Park is accepting comments on the preliminary options until November 6.  The Park will be holding public meetings and when a draft EIS is prepared, it will be made available for public comment.  Hunter participation in wildlife management has proven to be the most cost effective tool available.  Let the Park hear your thoughts by sending comments to:  Resource Management, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 or on line at http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/cuva.  Click on the link titled Cuyahoga Valley National Park Deer Management Plan/EIS.  You can also go to http://www.nps.gov/cuva to see when public meetings will be held.