Wildlife Management Background

Background

The City of Tega Cay began monitoring their deer population in 2015 after receiving concerns from residents.  The first survey was conducted on December 16, 2015 when SCDNR staff estimated a total deer population of 156 deer.  At the time South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) noted “this number would be high for a wildland situation; it is not unusual in a residential situation.”  It was also noted that ideally the survey would be conducted over multiple nights but could not be done due to staff availability.  No further direction was given from that current Council and no subsequent deer spotlight surveys were conducted from 2016 through 2021.

• In 2022, Council directed staff to conduct a series of deer spotlight surveys to observe the current deer population after receiving resident concerns regarding the growth of the deer population.  The concerns included but not limited to property damage, health of the herd, aggressive deer activity and future environmental factors.  The City utilized SCDNR to perform deer spotlight surveys on March 21, 2022 and September 14, 2022.
• On March 21, 2022 the deer spotlight survey estimated an approximate deer population of 700, a growth of 544 since 2015.  The September 14, 2022 deer spotlight survey estimated a deer population of approximately 850, an increase of 150 deer from March 21, 2022.
• The City contracted Folk Land Management to perform a deer spotlight survey on September 11 and 12, 2023.  The deer spotlight survey on September 11 and 12, 2023 estimated the City’s total deer population had increased to 1028 deer. 
• The City held a Special Council Meeting on June 21, 2022 with Dr. Charles Ruth from SCDNR, where he discussed the City’s deer population, the possible challenges of doing nothing and shared with Council possible deer management options approved by the State, which at the time were culling, sterilization, relocating which is a practice strongly discouraged by SCDNR and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals  (PETA) because of the trauma it causes the deer or continue to do nothing.  He recommended the City conduct another deer spotlight survey and perform a community survey asking residents for feedback.
• In September 2022, residents were asked to participate in a survey regarding the possible use of sharpshooters to reduce the deer population.  The survey results are listed below: 

• At City Council’s November 14, 2022 Meeting, Council introduced and approved an Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinances as it relates to the Intentional Feeding of Wildlife with 2nd read taking place at the December 19, 2022 Council Meeting. 
• At the July 10, 2023 City Council Meeting, Council considered and approved a motion to direct the City Manager to apply for an Urban Deer Management Permit Application through SCDNR. 
• At the July 25, 2023 Budget Workshop, at the direction of Council $160,000 in funding for a Wildlife Management Program was included in the budget.  At the August 21, 2023 Council Meeting, Council approved 1st read of the 2023-2024 budget which included the funding for a Wildlife Management Program with 2nd read taking place at the September 18, 2023 Council Meeting.
• On September 20, 2023 the City submitted a Deer Depredation Permit to SCDNR requesting to cull 75-300 deer within the City Limits.
• On September 28, 2023 the City of Tega Cay received approval from SCDNR to cull 80 deer within the City Limits between September 28, 2023 and March 1, 2024.  The City continued researching possible Wildlife Management Programs including culling and the use of Zonastat-D PZP, a method that at the time was not approved by the State of South Carolina as a Deer Management Option.  Clemson University officially permitted the use of Zonastat-D PZP on November 17, 2023.  
• City Council held a Special Council Meeting on December 11, 2023 to consider the Introduction and 1st read of an Ordinance to Amend Article VI, Division 1, Section 34-121 (Ordinance 70A, Section 70.14.06) of the City’s Code as it Relates to the Discharge of Firearms and Firearm-Like Devices and To Allow for Exceptions Pertaining to the Control of Wildlife by the City.  1st read and approval took place at the December 11, 2023 Council Meeting with the 2nd read taking place at the December 18, 2023 Council Meeting.
• On December 18, 2023 Council held a regularly scheduled Council Meeting that featured a Special Presentation from Dr. Allen Rutberg, Tufts University, who presented the possible use of Zonastat-D PZP as a birth control measure. At the same meeting Deputy City Manager Joey Blethen presented that evening the estimated cost to implement Zonastat-D PZP and culling 80 deer. Council also discussed and approved an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to perform the culling of 80 deer for $47,127.55.
• On January 18, 2024 the City of Tega Cay appealed to the SCDNR Board requesting the ability to cull an additional 80 deer before the March 1st deadline.  On January 19, 2024 the SCDNR board approved the City’s appeal.
• At the January 22, 2024 Council Meeting, Council discussed and approved an updated agreement with the USDA to perform the additional culling of 80 deer for a total of 160 deer for $94,255.10.

Wildlife Management Program

On January 22, 2024 the USDA with support from the Tega Cay Police Department and York County Sheriff's Department began the 1st round of the Wildlife Management Plan at the Tega Cay Golf Course.  

On February 5, 2024 the USDA with support from the Tega Cay Police Department and York County Sheriff's Department began the 2nd and final round of the Wildlife Management Plan at the Tega Cay Golf Course.  

Staffing

City of Tega Cay Police Department and York County Sheriff Department utilized a total of 65 law enforcement personnel.  Of these, 29 officers represented the Tega Cay Police Department, 15 officers comprised the Tega Cay Police Department Command Staff, and 21 deputies with the York County Sheriff's Office.  The officers worked a total of 316.5 hours.to secure the multiple sites over January 22-24 and February 5-7.  The total law enforcement cost for January 22-24 and February 5-7 was $15,825.  

• Following the completion of the Wildlife Management Report the City of Tega Cay and Tega Cay Police Department released After Action Reports.
• At the March 13, 2024 Special Council Meeting, Staff presented to Council the impacts of the deer population to the Community and possible options for Council to consider.
• On April 8, 2024 City of Tega Cay released a Deer Community Survey which asked for feedback from residents on several topics regarding deer in Tega Cay.  The survey concluded on April 9, 2024.  The data collected from the surveys can be found here.  
• At the May 20, 2024 City Council Meeting, Staff presented the Deer Community Survey Results to City Council.  City Council also discussed next steps and directed staff to engage with Dr. Tony DeNicola to explore a hybrid deer management program for the 2024-2025 Budget Year.
• At the August 19, 2024 City Council Meeting, Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with White Buffalo to sterilize 200 deer in an amount to not exceed $268,000.  
• On September 4, 2024 City Council called a Special Meeting, to discuss the possibility of culling in Tega Cay with Dave Henderson with Low Country Wildlife Specialists.  
• On October 21st, White Buffalo began the sterilization project in the City of Tega Cay.  White Buffalo was able to successfully complete the project and sterilize 200 deer.  The final sterilization report can be found here.  The total cost of the sterilization project was $268,677.

• The City of Tega Cay has contracted Lowcountry Wildlife Specialist to perform the culling portion of the Wildlife Management Plan.  Lowcountry Wildlife Specialists will be performing the culling operations in the City from December 1st through December 31st.  The City and Lowcountry Wildlife Specialists have put protocols in place to prioritize a safe and effective operation.  For more information please click here.
• At the December 16, 2024 City Council Meeting, Council authorized City Staff to appeal to the SCDNR Board requesting the ability to cull an additional 80 deer before the March 1st deadline.  
• Lowcountry Wildlife Specialist completed the City’s Deer Management Permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for 2024-2025.  Results listed below.  All culling operations were conducted in late evening hours on City Owned Property.  In correspondence with the Deer Management Permit all meat was processed and donated to the Catawba Indian Nation, who covered a portion of the processing fees. In compliance with the SCDNR Deer Management Lowcountry Wildlife Specialists submitted the following reports detailing the type of deer taken, date and quadrant location.  The total cost of the culling project was $59,200.

• In the 2025-2026 Budget Year City City Council approved funding for the Wildlife Management Program.  During the November 17th City Council Meeting,  City Council approved to enter into an agreement with Lowcountry Wildlife to cull up to 80 deer with the work to be performed within the December 1st-March 1st time range.
• Lowcountry Wildlife Specialist completed the City’s Deer Management Permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for 2025-2026.  Results listed below.  All culling operations were conducted in late evening hours on City Owned Property.  In correspondence with the Deer Management Permit all meat was processed and donated to the Catawba Indian Nation, who covered a portion of the processing fees. In compliance with the SCDNR Deer Management Lowcountry Wildlife Specialists submitted the following reports detailing the type of deer taken, date and quadrant location.  The total cost of the culling project was $42,382.