IDNR, City of Springfield Partner to Curb Lake Springfield Deer Population

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The City of Springfield's City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), with assistance from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), this year will begin allowing archery deer hunting on specific properties around Lake Springfield to lower the overpopulated white-tailed deer herd.

"On the 4,300 acres of marginal land around Lake Springfield the utility not only strives to take steps to protect our water supply and  natural wildlife areas, but to also to balance the needs for public use as a regional recreational destination with the residential use of our properties," said CWLP Water Division Manager Todd LaFountain. "With the deer population steadily increasing and at numbers over the recommended density, we're seeing the negative impacts in the form of increasing deer/car accidents, as well as low quality vegetation, which is why we've sought assistance of IDNR through the Illinois Recreational Access Program." 

Past deer population research shows a density of 15-20 deer per square mile is often consistent with maintaining healthy native plant communities; a 2021 aerial survey of the deer population around Lake Springfield revealed an average of 77 deer per square mile. After working with wildlife professionals from the IDNR to review options, controlled archery deer hunting in specific areas was determined to be the best course of action to decrease the population over a period of time.
 
"City officials asked us about a number of options to help control the deer population around Lake Springfield, but in the end, archery hunting provided the best fit because it provided a long-term and cost-effective solution to the problem," said Tammy Miller, Special Programs Manager, IDNR. "Other options, including sterilization and relocation, offered only a short-term fix, would have been a burden to taxpayers or were not approved for use in Illinois."

Instead, IDNR's Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) will help the city place experienced archery deer hunters on selected sites around Lake Springfield. 

"Over the past 18 months, IRAP staff have conducted multiple site visits to choose the safest sites near the lake in the areas with higher deer numbers," Miller said. "Five areas were chosen for the first year of the program with plans to increase the number of areas in the future as needed."

Archery deer hunting will take place throughout October 2021 and Dec. 16-31, 2021. Hunters must apply online for one of three available hunting periods. Successful applicants must harvest a doe first and then can harvest as many deer for which they have archery deer permits. CWLP is encouraging hunters to donate their harvested deer to the Springfield food bank and will pay the $50 hunter portion of the processing fee for the first 60 deer donated.

"We're pleased to work with Illinois hunters, Turasky Meats, and the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program to cover the processing fee for the first 60 deer donated," LaFountain said. "Just one deer can provide up to 200 meals for area residents in need."

Lake Springfield controlled archery deer hunting is available for experienced bow hunters who reside in Sangamon County or surrounding counties of Macoupin, Morgan, Menard, Logan, Macon, Montgomery, and Christian. Applications are available online through the IRAP website at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/conservation/IRAP/Pages/default.aspx  and will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Aug. 13, 2021.