Dublin residents will get their first chance to question city staff and wildlife experts about the planned deer removal program at a public session on Aug. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at 5555 Perimeter Drive.

The session will feature panelists from the city, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and other local wildlife professionals, according to the city's event listing. Residents can ask questions about how the targeted removal will work, why the city chose this approach and what to expect when operations begin.

Why the city is acting

A thermal drone survey conducted April 24–27 by Dark Horizon Drones counted 528 deer across Dublin's 16,000-plus acres. The city estimates density at 50 to 85 deer per square mile, well above the 20 to 30 per square mile regional wildlife managers consider healthy.

The numbers matched what residents have been reporting. In 2025 alone, Dublin logged 20 reports of dogs attacked by deer and 35 reports of deer stalking or chasing people, up sharply from three and four such reports in 2023 and 2024, according to Council meeting minutes from May 11.

A community survey launched Jan. 6 drew 3,656 responses. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said the deer population should be managed, and 49 percent expressed support for lethal methods.

How the program works

Under Resolution 28-26, which appeared on the June 8 Council agenda for approval, the city would contract with USDA Wildlife Services for professionally trained sharpshooters to operate overnight from baiting stations using rifles with noise suppression devices. Processed venison will be donated to local food pantries.

Council voted 7-0 on May 11 to direct staff to negotiate the USDA contract. All seven members supported the measure, including Mayor Amy Amorose Groomes, Vice Mayor De Rosa, Dr. Lam and Mr. Keeler.

At that May 11 meeting, Mayor Amorose Groomes highlighted public safety concerns along Riverside Drive and Dublin Road and voiced support for hosting public education events featuring the same experts who informed Council's deliberations.

Council member Dr. Lam stressed the importance of beginning public education early, given the lead time required before winter operations.

Four years in the making

The deer management issue has been under review since February 2022 through the Community Services Advisory Commission. Key steps included a feeding prohibition ordinance in November 2023, ODNR presentations to the commission in 2024 and the drone survey this spring.

Non-lethal alternatives were ruled out: Ohio law prohibits deer relocation due to disease-spread risk, and birth-control methods are generally approved only for research purposes.

How to participate

The Aug. 25 session is the first public forum focused specifically on the targeted removal component. The city labeled it "Deer Management Public Education Session 1," indicating additional sessions will follow. More information is available at the city's deer management page.