Bloomfield Township is collecting resident complaints, photos, and videos about deer as officials weigh whether to take action on a population that has prompted concerns about car crashes, garden damage, tick-borne illness, and aggressive encounters.
The township launched the feedback campaign on July 22, asking neighbors to document their experiences. No deadline for submissions has been announced.
Why now
The call for input follows months of committee work. The township's Deer Management Advisory Committee met January 21, and in the spring 2026 community newsletter, officials wrote that "no action has been taken" but that "a course of action" was being researched by the advisory committee.
That newsletter also reminded residents that feeding deer is illegal under Michigan state law, which bans baiting and feeding in the Lower Peninsula. Best practices for limiting deer on private property are posted at bloomfieldtwpmi.gov/deer alongside the management options the committee has reviewed.
The township said residents' experiences with deer-vehicle collisions, property damage, tick-borne illnesses, and aggressive deer "are valuable as information is gathered."
Regional context
Bloomfield Township is not alone in grappling with urban deer. In March 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture organized Southeast Michigan's first regional deer cull, removing 70 white-tailed deer from neighboring Farmington, Farmington Hills, and Southfield. Those three cities belong to the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition, a seven-county collective focused on managing deer while protecting residents and wildlife. Bloomfield Township has not been identified as a member of that coalition.
Karen Mondora, acting Farmington Hills city manager, told The Detroit News on March 31 that measuring the success of culls "is a long-term process, and it may take several years for communities to fully experience the impact."
How to participate
Residents who want to share feedback can:
- Fill out the online form at bloomfieldtwp.org/deer
- Use the township mobile app at bloomfieldtwp.org/app
- Email Sue Bowlin at [email protected]
- Call 248-433-7725
The Deer Management Advisory Committee's next meeting date has not been announced. Township Supervisor Mike McCready can be reached at 248-433-7700 for general inquiries.
