Bloomington’s animal control commission wants city council to approve a proposed ban on deer feeding.
The citizen-led group is suggesting the ban in conjunction with other recommended changes to Title 7 the municipal code, which covers animals.
Virgil Sauder, the director of animal care and control, said feeding deer makes them congregate in areas they normally wouldn’t, which can create conflicts between neighbors.
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“If there are those in the community that are feeding deer, this is a good time to stop,” he said. “If we can stop feeding the deer, we can hopefully decrease our conflict around the deer and we can all enjoy their presence here in Bloomington.”
Sauder said a research team will study deer’s impact on native plants and public health.
The council has yet to receive a formal proposal, as the city’s legal department and mayor’s office review the recommendations.
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“This is something that they’re doing because they love seeing the deer in Bloomington,” he said. “They see them as a rich resource and a beautiful part of Bloomington, and it’s those that are going to struggle with that change in their life.”
The city has received 60 wildlife complaints since implementing a reporting system in 2021. Most incidents involving deer come from the city’s southeast side, according to Sauder.
