GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kent County Deer Management Coalition hosted open houses on Monday and Wednesday to update residents of its findings on deer in the community.

Task force formed to examine Kent County deer population

Rob Larson, an affiliate professor at Grand Valley State University in the natural resources management program, said the group is still working to address the challenges.

“It’s basically the county leadership, along with the road commission,” Larson said of the coalition. “The 21 townships, nine cities in Kent County have banded together to kind of try and solve deer management related issues, nuisances, car crashes… And I think the big thing that sometimes gets left out of this mix is to look at holistically managing the deer for a healthier population in Kent County.” 

The coalition was founded in 2024 to “lead a countywide assessment of the deer population and explore management strategies that enhance public safety while maintaining a balanced, healthy herd.” It is now in its third phase of data collection work. 

Kent County municipalities team up to solve deer problem

The coalition’s first public survey last year yielded more than 6,600 responses. That information was summarized in a 22-page document on the coalition’s website.

Larson is recommending people fill out this year’s survey, which is now available online.

“This is really more specific,” Larson said. “It’s fewer questions.”

The coalition plans to have its final recommendations in the fall. The final open house will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.