Mayor Walsh Announces Deer Management to Start Week of December 15

Published on December 03, 2025

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced deer management carried out by qualified wildlife managers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin the week of Dec. 15, 2025 and continue through the winter. The City of Syracuse will be one of several local municipalities completing deer damage management with the USDA this winter.

The City is continuing targeted removal of deer this season in response to public health and safety concerns. The purpose of the program is to address the impact of deer overpopulation on deer-vehicle accidents; parks, gardens, and the ecosystem; and public health risks, such as Lyme Disease.

The City has a frequently asked question sheet, “What Syracuse residents should know about Deer Damage Management.” The sheet is available at goto.syr.gov/factsheet-tickanddeer. More information about Syracuse’s Tick and Deer Management Plan is at syr.gov/tickanddeer.

Suitable sites meeting strict New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) criteria were identified on the east, west and south sides of the city. Only DEC permitted sites where explicit written permission from the property owners have been provided will be accessed. All sites are either private or closed to public access when work is conducted.

Specially trained USDA wildlife managers will conduct the work only at night, between the hours of dusk to dawn. No wildlife management officer should be accessing private property without permission. Residents should call 911 if you see suspicious activity on public or private property at any time. Work will be conducted December 2025 through March 2026.

City funding for implementation of the Tick and Deer Management Plan is authorized by the Syracuse Common Council. Primary funding is provided by Onondaga County with support from County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II and the Onondaga County Legislature.