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Managing the Deer Problem at Rock Cut State Park

Explore the challenges posed by deer overpopulation at Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County, Illinois, and propose solutions to mitigate deer-car collisions, forest degradation, and overgrazing issues. Learn about the impact of the growing deer population on the ecosystem and the strategies to manage it effectively.

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Managing the Deer Problem at Rock Cut State Park

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  1. The Deer Problem at Rock Cut State Park Winnebago County, Illinois

  2. Rock Cut State Park Layout

  3. Park Description • Located in Loves Park, just northeast of Rockford. • There are ten miles of trails at Rock Cut, seven of which are open to mountain bikers--the cross-country ski trails. • The mostly dirt trails are well maintained; in the winter months, park workers clear the trails for the cross-country skiers.

  4. Deer Problem D E E R P R O B L E M S

  5. Deer-Car Collisions • Each year there are approximately 500,000 deer/auto collisions resulting in over 100 deaths and thousands of injuries. • 
Deer/auto collisions cost the auto insurance industry about $2,000 per claim. • The explosion in the deer population has led to the increase in deer/car collisions. • In the 1980's the deer population was approximately 10 million. Today, there are more than 25 million.

  6. Deer Over Grazing • Eat trees and seedlings. • Stunted forests and pastures. • City nuisance to landscape artists and gardeners.

  7. Forest Problem • Deer prefer clearings and younger forests. With less than 1% of Illinois' original old growth acreage left, deer are five times as numerous as in the pre-settlement era. An 18% decline in the number of native plant species per site in Illinois’ forests has been linked to deer grazing.

  8. Over Population Problem

  9. Sources of Problem • Milder winters than usual • Loss of natural predators • Deer foraging from unnatural sources • People feeding deer

  10. How to Solve the Problem?

  11. Problem Statement • You are a member of committee within the Illinois DNR. • You are charged with finding a way to solve the deep problem at Rock Cut. • You are to present recommendations in the form of a proposal to the park super. • What are some strategies for helping to manage deer?

  12. Questions • What possible approaches might used? • Which do you feel is the best approach? • Why is your approach the best one?
 • List the pro's and con's of your approach.
 • What would happen to the problem if your approach is chosen? • Do others strongly support or oppose your approach? • Should we even intervene?

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