Syracuse’s annual deer cull is officially underway, and residents may notice increased activity in certain neighborhoods over the coming months.
According to the Mayor’s Office, the city’s deer management program began December 15, 2025, and will continue through March 2026 as part of Syracuse’s ongoing Tick and Deer Management Plan.
Why Syracuse Conducts a Deer Cull Each Winter
The program is designed to reduce several ongoing issues tied to an overpopulation of deer, including:
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Vehicle and deer collisions
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Damage to parks, yards, and green spaces
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The spread of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease
Syracuse is not alone in these efforts. Similar deer management programs are also taking place in nearby communities working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including Camillus, Solvay, DeWitt, Fayetteville, and Manlius.
How and Where the Deer Cull Is Conducted
The work is carried out by specially trained USDA sharpshooters and follows strict guidelines set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Sharpshooters operate only at night, from dusk until dawn, and only on approved sites located on the east, west, and south sides of the city. All locations are either private property with explicit written permission from the owner or areas that are closed to public access during operations…