The Johnson County Park & Recreation District has completed the initial phases of its deer management plan for Shawnee Mission Park.

With the assistance of scientists and wildlife biologists, the first phase was completed on November 4, 2009. Over a four day period local law enforcement sharpshooters safely culled 313 deer from the herd in an effort to reduce the number of deer in the park and on the adjacent properties managed by the District to an estimated 50 deer per square mile.

A total of 11,800 pounds of venison was processed from the harvest and was distributed to needy families through Harvesters' Community Food Network and the food pantry operated by Johnson County Human Services and Aging. The deer hides from the harvest were donated to the Elks' Veterans Leather Program. They are being tanned, cut and sewn into specially designed fingerless gloves for veterans confined to wheelchairs. The remaining scraps will be used in recreational and occupational therapy programs throughout the Veterans Administration health care system.

According to spotlight transect surveys completed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks after the November culling, an estimated 73 deer per square mile still remained within the management area. A series of KDWP surveys immediately prior to the culling had estimated the average number of deer per square mile to be 148. In 2007 and 2008 the agency had estimated the number to be 208 and 195 respectively.

Based on the 73-deer-per-square-mile estimate following the initial culling, a secondary harvest by specially certified archers was conducted in closed and restricted areas of the park between December 9 and January 23. At its completion, the participating archers reported culling an additional 29 deer from the herd.

Now that the first two phases of the deer management plan have been completed, there will be multiple surveys conducted in 2010 to monitor and estimate the size of the herd. The resulting data will be used to assist in implementing effective strategies for the District's ongoing deer management efforts. In each subsequent phase, the particular strategy or combination of strategies best suited for existing needs and conditions will be implemented.

Development of the Deer Management Plan

In 2008 the District recruited a group of experts and citizens with science backgrounds to assist with the development of a comprehensive Biodiversity Policy and expanded Resource Management Plan that would clearly define the guidelines and procedures required for the proper stewardship of the natural resources Johnson County residents have entrusted to our care.

The mission of the Science/Biodiversity Committee was to help design management strategies that will ensure rich varieties of habitat for native species while monitoring and managing invasive, exotic and nuisance species.

Working cooperatively with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the committee gave careful consideration to a broad range of resource management challenges that included, but were not limited to, the significant over-abundance of deer in Shawnee Mission Park.

A draft of the Biodiversity Policy developed by the committee was presented to the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners at a Public Hearing and Committee of the Whole meeting at the Shawnee Civic Center on May 13, 2009. A partial draft of the Resource Management Plan, including Guidelines for Responding to Nuisance Wildlife Problems, was also presented at the meeting.

Following presentations by District staff and Charlie Lee, a Wildlife Specialist with K-State Research and Extension, members of the public addressed the board and shared their thoughts and concerns related to the deer management issue. By policy, no formal action could be taken at the Committee of the Whole meeting. The Biodiversity Policy developed by the Science/Biodiversity Committee was subsequently approved by the board at its regular monthly meeting on May 20.

Recommendations for managing the deer within the 2,230 acre Greater Shawnee Mission Park Area were then prepared by District staff in accordance with the Biodiversity Policy. Key factors impacting the recommendations were the existing restrictions on and limitations of non-lethal alternatives. For instance, relocating deer is not allowed in Kansas and immunocontraceptive drugs have not been approved for use. It's important to note, however, that the recommendations do call for working cooperatively with researchers, agencies and individuals to help develop non-lethal alternatives, and utilizing non-lethal options when applicable to the District's specific management needs.

The Staff Recommendations were reviewed by the District's Parks and Golf Courses Committee on June 8, 2009, and considered by the full board at a Regular Monthly Meeting held at the Lenexa National Guard Armory on June 17. Following staff presentations, public comments and board discussion, the recommendations were unanimously approved by the board at the June 17th meeting.