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Ludington council considering deer culling.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.
LUDINGTON — During the regular meeting of the Ludington City Council Monday, Sept. 26, councilors hear the first reading of an ordinance that would approve allow the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to cull a select amount of deer within the city limits. A first reading is presented in front the council and is typically voted on within a month. During Monday’s meeting, members of the public spoke — mostly in favor — about the cull, which would be paid for using $50,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which were provided to the city as a result of government shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilors Kathy Winczewski, Cheri Stibitz and Les Johnson expressed that they were not necessarily in favor of the deer cull, mostly based on apprehension that it would impact the deer population.
Councilors Ted May, Jack Bulger, John Terzano, and Wally Cain each stated they support the measure. Both Bulger and Cain said eliminating some of the deer population would be better than doing nothing. Winczewski and Stibitz each stated that public education may be a better route, perhaps encouraging residents to change the type of plants and shrubs they have in their yards.
If approved, the city would set the number of deer that are to be harvested. The deer would then be sent to Sanders Meats in Custer where they would be processed and then donated to local food banks.
The city would have to use some funds from its budget to pay for the serve, likely $7,000 to $8,000.
Councilor Johnson reminded the council and public that the culling would take place in wooded areas of the city and would not take place in a way that would endanger the public. It would be done by professionals from the USDA who perform the services throughout the state.
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