Deer Management
Township officials are often approached with concerns about the deer population. While no action has been taken at this time (January 2026), the situation is being monitored and a course of action being researched. Options that have been presented for consideration can be found below as well as best practices for limiting deer on your property. Residents are asked not to feed the deer in accordance with state law.
Updates from DNR
Chad Stewart, from the Department of Natural Resources Cervid and Wildlife Interactions Unit, presented at the September 8, 2025 Board of Trustees meeting. He presented several options for managing and controlling deer populations.
Additional resources provided by the DNR include:
State of Michigan Feeding Definitions
Updates from Advisory Committee
Mission Statement
The mission of the Bloomfield Township Deer Management Advisory Committee is to assess the status of the township's deer population and its impact on residents, property, and the environment and the deer. The Advisory Committee is committed to providing Bloomfield Township leaders, along with Township staff, strategic guidance by working collaboratively with local stakeholders, including residents, conservation experts, and law enforcement, to help create and evaluate effectiveness and adjust strategies as needed. Our principal goal is to ensure a safe, healthy, and sustainable balance between Bloomfield Township's residents, motorists, natural environment, and deer population. Through science-based population management, community education, and habitat preservation, the Committee seeks to reduce deer-vehicle collisions, minimize property and landscape damage, and study the effect of local deer on health of humans, their pets, and the deer population.
Meeting History
The most recent meeting was held on January 7, 2026.
On October 29, 2025, the committee discussed how they will proceed in looking at the issue.
On November 12, 2025, Sgt. Nick Soley presented information on police calls regarding deer.
On December 10, 2025, the committee did not discuss deer.
Farmington Hills Deer Management Presentation.
Police Data
The Police Department has collected data on call related to deer activity which can be reviewed in the 2025 Annual Deer Report.
Planting and Landscaping Deterrents
No plant is "deer proof," but many options exist that typically deter deer. Michigan State University has a resource guide for homeowners.
Bow hunting is legal in Bloomfield Township with a hunting license from October 1- January 31 each year. Firearm hunting is banned. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) have primary, statewide authority over game regulations. Townships can only regulate firearm discharge and create local rules for safety, but cannot ban hunting.
No, baiting and feeding are banned in the Lower Peninsula. In areas where baiting is banned, scents placed to entice deer, whether composed of natural or synthetic materials, must be placed so that they are inaccessible for consumption by deer and placed in such a manner to prohibit any physical contact with deer. This does not apply to urine-based products that adhere to the applicable regulations for using urine-based scents. Hunters can still use those urine-based products for mock scrapes, drag ropes, wicks, etc.
Exception: Hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements may use bait in the Lower Peninsula during the Liberty and Independence Hunts only. Eligible hunters may begin baiting for the Liberty Hunt five days prior to when the season begins. Eligible hunters may begin baiting for the Independence Hunt five days prior to when the season begins.
In addition to following the feeding ban, there are considerable reasons to avoid feeding deer, including attracting other undesirable wildlife and predators.
Call the Police Department non-emergency line at 248-433-7755. Animal Welfare Officers will come out and address the situation.
If you see a fawn alone, please leave it alone. A mother deer often leaves her fawn alone for hours as a survival tactic, making the fawn appear abandoned to predators. Fawns have little scent and are camouflaged by their spots. Does stay away to avoid leading danger to offspring, often only returning to nurse usually at dawn and dusk.
Contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department non-emergency line at 248-433-7755. An Animal Welfare Officer will attempt to collect and dispose of the deer.
Contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department non-emergency line at 248-433-7755. An Animal Welfare Officer will collect and dispose of the deer.
No.