SHAWNEE, Kan. – The first phase of the deer management plan for Shawnee Mission Park is complete.
Johnson County Parks and Recreation officials confirm sharpshooters conducted the initial deer harvest in the past week.
A total of 313 deer were culled from the herd in Shawnee Mission Park between Sunday, Nov. 1 and Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Park officials say the sharpshooters worked in a secure perimeter in the park, outside of regular park hours.
White Buffalo is the company contracted to plan the harvest and provide training and support for the sharpshooters. The firm has provided similar assistance in other communities throughout the U.S.
The state of Kansas will test the harvested deer, and only meat from healthy animals will be distributed to needy families through Harversters Community Food Network.
Hides from the harvest are being donated to the Elks Veterans Leather Program. They will be tanned and distributed to Veterans Administration recreational and occupational therapy programs. Some of the tanned leather will also be cut and sewn into specially-designed fingerless gloves for veterans who are confined to wheelchairs.
The state will survey the herd later this month to estimate the remaining population within Shawnee Mission Park. At that time, officials will determine whether a secondary harvest is needed.
The secondary harvest, which is already approved and would be conducted by certified archers, could begin as early as December 7 and continue through January 2010.
