“(The USDA) have biologists that are highly trained in firearms and do this work for other communities,” DeShambo said. “They’re very knowledgeable, and most importantly, they have a tremendous safety record.”

The removal operation focused on six of the largest areas in East Lansing’s parks and took place on Jan. 12 and Jan. 22. DeShambo said this removal operation came from community members’ concerns via a survey sent out by the City to see how the deer population was impacting residents, such as the number of deer-vehicle accidents there were throughout the year. 

The survey results, presented to City Council in October 2019, showed that almost 80% of respondents were concerned about deer-vehicle accidents. 

DeShambo said the survey is still available on the city’s website and they continue to use it to inform their deer management. 

City Council member Dana Watson, who was not sitting on the council when the deer removal was approved, watched the February 2020 decision. Now, as a council member, she brought up the removal at a Jan. 12 meeting because she had received concerns from the community, both from those who were thankful for the removal and those who were against it. 

“I just thought, at least the public deserved some more explanation about what this process looks like,” Watson said.

Watson said deer removal has always been a divisive issue in East Lansing, with some being concerned about hearing the shots, while others are against the lethal removal in general.

All of the venison from the deer, about 2,000 pounds, was donated to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, which could not be reached for comment. The processing of the meat was donated by Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger.  

Watson said what would happen to the meat was one of the questions she had regarding the deer removal. 

“It feels good that the deer went on to feed people and to feed people locally,” Watson said. "It feels good to understand that part of it.”