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

Solon deer, courtesy Chris Mazzolini/Solon Patch

Solon City Council approved a contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday to have the federal agency run the city's deer culling program…

… 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…more

Will Solon Use White Buffalo Again for Deer Sharpshooting?

…White Buffalo is a lightning rod for anti-hunting activists…

Solon's original White Buffalo contract angered animal rights groups and residents against lethal deer culling, who argued that there are more humane ways to manage the deer population. They protested at meetings and came out in force to fight the decision.

In January 2006, Solon resident Belinda Geiger was arrested and accused with menacing, stalking and threatening DeNicola.

The criminal case against Geiger was dismissed in 2007, but Geiger also sued the city and DeNicola. That lawsuit was settled in 2008 with the city and White Buffalo paying Geiger $12,500 each, according to the newspaper…more

With Deer Population Surging, Solon Officials Will Decide How Many to Kill

Solon City Council expects to discuss June 20 how many deer they need to kill… more

Deer Plan Passed to Solon Council

The plan was recommended by a 2-1 vote, with councilmen Bill Russo and Rick Bell approving it and Councilman Ed Kraus voting against it. Kraus said he approves of most of the plan, including lethal methods, but he is against bow hunting, which is part of the plan.

The plan was passed on to the full council so that it can begin deliberations on what's been a controversial issue for the city...more

Quick Take: Solon Moving Quickly on Deer Count

Solon did a thermal aerial count in 2004 and 2005 before it began a deer culling program but since has relied on ground counts conducted by the animal warden…more