LENEXA, Kan. – An animal rights group is trying to thwart a plan to reduce the deer population in Shawnee Mission Park by using trained sharpshooters and bow hunters.
On Wednesday night, an animal activism group called Bite Club of Kansas City held signs and chanted outside the Johnson County Park and Recreation District building. The protest drew several dozen people.
They are urging board members to use a non-lethal method of reducing the population, equating the upcoming deer harvest to the "slaughter of innocent animals".
"I truly don't believe that God's will is to kill the deer and I hope they change their mind," said protester Kathleen Kastner.
Back in June, the JCPRD unanimously agreed to a plan that is expected to reduce the park’s herd from 200 deer per square mile down to 50.
The vote followed several weeks of heated debate and public testimony. Several speakers supported the approved plan because of concerns about lyme disease, deer-vehicle accidents, and property damage.
Bite Club founder Jason Miller said the overpopulation is a "people problem" caused by year's of building housing development around Shawnee Mission Park. He disputes the notion that there is currently not enough food in the park for all the deer to survive.
"The message to board members is that we are not going to stop the campaign until they stop the killing," he said.
The first controlled hunt will be held in the fall. The park will be closed as trained sharpshooters from law enforcement agencies harvest the deer. Some of the meat will be processed and donated to area food shelters.
On Wednesday, board members gave no indication of reconsidering the plan. Michael Meaders, the Director of Parks and Recreation, called any change "highly unlikely."
"For the reasons detailed and discussed at great length during an extensive public process earlier this year, we are proceeding with the implementation of the deer management plan," said Meadors.
After a survey of the population, bow hunters will be called for a second harvest in if the population remains too large.
Protesters don't believe the plan is supported by the public and wants to put the issue to a vote.
