Contract: Solon Could Pay USDA $128,000 to Cull 400 to 500 Deer

Solon City Council will pay the U.S. Department of Agriculture about $128,000 to manage the city's deer culling efforts, according to a contract approved Wednesday by city council.

That will include killing about 400 to 500 white-tailed deer, said Solon Public Works Commissioner Jim Stanek.

According to the contract, USDA sharpshooters will remove white-tailed deer from Solon using rifles with silencers in pre-approved shooting locations.

Deer culling efforts would not begin until the winter.

Stanek told city council members that the contract needed to be approved so Solon could get on the USDA's schedule.

But whether the city actually does cull deer this winter depends on a couple of things. Solon City Council still needs to approve a deer management plan.

The Solon Deer Preservation Act is also on the ballot, casting a shadow over Solon's deer management efforts. That's a petition-initiated effort to ban deer hunting in Solon.

Stanek said the contract with USDA will not be a problem if the hunting ban passes. He said costs will be very small for the first few months, allowing for the vote to occur before the city incurs the bulk of the cost.

Law Director Tom Lobe reviewed the contract and said he felt the city was protected in the event that the hunting ban passes.

Solon is looking to reduce its rising deer population in an effort to cut down on the number of deer-related car accidents in the city.