Kane forest preserve district to discuss deer management
Submitted by Forest Preserve District of Kane County
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will hold two public information meetings on proposed deer management, and would like feedback from residents on the topic.
The first meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, in the lodge at Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls, 40W095 Freeman Road, Gilberts. The second meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the Sugar Grove Public Library, Room C, 125 S. Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove.
The public information meetings will have an open-house format, with information presented on boards, via handouts and electronically. Forest Preserve District staff will be on hand to answer questions.
The presentation will include information on deer ecology and impacts, ongoing research, benefits to management, potential tools, proposed locations and recommendations. Kane County residents will be asked to provide written comments on the proposed recommendations.
The district is proposing managing deer numbers in forest preserves where overpopulation has been documented. The comprehensive program may involve a variety of deer management tools.
“We know the deer population is high in several areas, and reducing deer herds is necessary to allow oak regeneration and ensure species diversity,” said Drew Ullberg, director of natural resources for the Forest Preserve District.
“Deer management needs to be viewed in the holistic approach, since we are working to restore, restock, protect and preserve public lands. Our objective isn’t to eradicate deer but to reduce the herds so a more ecologically sustainable condition can occur,” he said.
“Kane County is one of the last in the region to consider this type of management. As a conservation agency, we are charged with ensuring a healthy ecosystem. All of our natural areas need a hand in management. Without our active management in areas such as brush control, weed control, prescribed burns and at times deer management, we will not have healthy ecosystems,” Ullberg said.
For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com.