Knowledge Bank

Students completing this project partnered with Columbus City Council to address concerns regarding the city's deer populations and increasing concerns over property damage and public safety for residents. The team aimed to support the City of Columbus in their deer management efforts by analyzing data from city surveys and providing policy recommendations based on public opinion and the actions of similar municipalities. Additionally, the team connected with The Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to base recommendations on professional expertise. Based on these sources and data analysis conducted by the team, the students recommended lethal deer management practices as well as supporting non-lethal tactics like education and increased regional relations. The final products include a Findings Report listing the basic survey results, a Data Analysis Report outlining the variables assessed, a Policy Recommendations Report detailing the city’s options for implementing a deer management program, and maps created with GIS for reference of spatial distribution of deer and community opinion. These materials were presented to the City Council for consideration and served as the basis for future public hearings and internal processes in the policymaking process.