Long Island Facing Deer Population Crisis

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A recent investigative report has uncovered a growing health, safety, and environmental crisis on Long Island due to an explosion in the deer population. Thousands of people are being infected with Lyme Disease and Powassan from deer ticks, while motorists are colliding with deer and causing significant damage. The deer overpopulation is also stripping the local foliage and creating an environmental desert, harming other wildlife. Experts say the deer population has grown dramatically due to the loss of natural predators and human hunters.

Why it matters

The deer crisis on Long Island is a multifaceted problem impacting public health, public safety, and the local ecosystem. Urgent action is needed to reduce the deer population and restore balance to the region's environment.

The details

The deer population has grown exponentially on Long Island over the past several decades. Fifty years ago there were no deer on the Gold Coast, but they have steadily moved eastward, crossing into Queens in recent years. Experts attribute this explosion to the loss of natural predators like wolves, coyotes, bears, and cougars, as well as a decline in human hunting. This unchecked deer population is now causing serious problems, including thousands of Lyme Disease and Powassan infections from deer ticks, numerous motorist collisions resulting in damage and injuries, and widespread environmental damage as the deer strip the local foliage.

• 50 years ago, there were no deer on Long Island's Gold Coast.
• 30 years ago, deer inundated the Northport and Huntington areas.
• 15 years ago, deer crossed over to Oyster Bay.
• In recent years, the deer have crossed through North Hempstead and into Queens.

What’s next

Governor Kathy Hochul needs to take action to allow deer culling on Long Island in order to address the growing health, safety, and environmental crisis caused by the exploding deer population.