McCandless residents caught feeding deer could face fines, jail time

Finding ways to keep deer from devouring expensive landscape, causing vehicle crashes and spreading disease received overwhelming support from McCandless residents who were surveyed about the town’s growing deer population.

On Monday, council took the first step toward fixing the problem.

McCandless residents who put food out for deer could face as much as 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 if convicted. The town’s code enforcement officer will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance.

The ordinance calls for a $50 fine for the first offense and $100 for the second violation. Another $100 is added for each additional violation. The fine is capped at $500 for the sixth and subsequent citations.

The measure prohibits residents from placing fruit, grain, vegetables, bird and wildlife feed, salt licks or any other edible items on the ground, in a container or a feeding station with the intent of feeding deer.

Residents who place food out on their properties for birds, domestic livestock and pets can avoid being fined if they are acting “in good faith,” according to the ordinance.

Efforts to find ways to trim the deer population began last summer with a questionnaire to which 868 people responded — about one out every 14 households.

Of the respondents, 81% said they agreed that McCandless has a deer problem and support a “comprehensive deer management program” that includes a ban on feeding deer.

Concerns about the spread of Lyme disease from the ticks that deer carry was the most cited reason for supporting efforts to curb the population.

Information about the survey, as well as an interactive “deer sighting map,” are available on the town’s McCandless and Me webpage. The town also has posted a video of a Feb. 16 presentation about deer overpopulation.

Council’s decision also was based on in-house research conducted for much of the past year by Ken Allshouse of the town’s Environmental Advisory Committee and planning commissioner Dan Kortum.

The Game Commission recommends that municipalities enact bans on feeding deer as the first step in a long-range herd management plan.

While there are a number of other measures that can be used to reduce the deer population, feeding bans and controlled archery hunts are considered the most effective.

Council has not yet considered whether it will proceed with a controlled archery hunt, but it has been consulting with Wexford-based Suburban Whitetail Management, which helped Ross Township operate its archery hunt.

Prior to the vote, councilwoman Shelly Spohnholz said the feeding ban is supported by the town’s Environmental Advisory Committee.

Councilman David Smith said he would have preferred the town fully develop its deer management plan before enacting a feeding ban. But he voted to approve the measure because of the level of support it has received.

“All the residents who commented on it have been in favor,” he said. “The Game Commission recommends it. And deer are obviously a problem.”