Mission - Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Forest Preserve District of Kane County 

Mission & Goal 

Mission 

The mission of the Forest Preserve District 

of Kane County is to acquire, hold and 

maintain lands within Kane County that 

contribute to the preservation of natural and 

historic resources, habitats, flora and fauna; 

and to restore, restock, protect and preserve 

such lands for the education, recreation and 

pleasure of all its citizens. 

Goal 

Our goal is to preserve and restore 

the nature of Kane County. 

This is accomplished through 

the stewardship and conservation 

of the District’s natural resources 

using a program of restoration, 

research, management and 

public education.

White-Tailed Deer 

Natural History & Biology 

White-tailed Deer 

(Odocoileus virginianus) 

• Males (bucks) usually weigh 150-250 pounds. 

• Females (does) usually weigh 100-150 pounds. 

• Mating occurs late October-January with a peak usually occurring in mid-November. 

• Females give birth to 1-3 young. Most are born from late May through mid-June. 

Diet 

• Deer are herbivores. 

• They feed mainly on herbaceous plants and the leaves, buds and twigs of trees and shrubs (browse). 

They also consume grasses, acorns (and other mast), agricultural crops, garden and ornamental plants. 

Deer Populations in Illinois 

• Nearly extirpated by habitat loss, and market and subsistence hunting by the late 1800s 

• Natural immigration occurred and restocking began in the 1930s. 

• By the late 1950s, a hunting season was allowed in 33 counties. 

• Presently, deer are abundant statewide and hunting is allowed in some form in every county.


Factors in Overabundance 

Humans Alterations to the Landscape 

• Large predators of deer have been displaced or eliminated. 

• Urbanization and habitat 

loss have driven deer into 

smaller areas. 

• Fragmentation, and 

succession of habitats 

have created an ideal 

mosaic of forested and 

open areas (edge habitat) 

in which deer thrive. 

• Agricultural areas provide cover and large amounts of food 

for part of the year. 

• In urban and suburban areas, deer are becoming less 

exposed to hunting. 

Reproduction 

• Adult females usually have 2 fawns, but in some cases, can 

have 3-4 fawns. 

• With good nutrition, most yearlings do reproduce and 

some fawns may even reproduce. 

• In 5 years, a single doe could potentially contribute 

8 offspring to the population. 

• Ideal habitat, good nutrition, mild winters, 

high survival and high reproductive rates 

are all factors contributing to high deer 

populations.


Ecological Impacts 

Plant Conservation and Forest Regeneration 

• Deer are selective browsers and prefer certain plants over others. 

• Repeated browsing can affect the ability of plants to reproduce 

and persist (for instance, Trilliums and Orchids). 

• Sensitive plant species can decline or even disappear. 

• Overbrowsing can 

suppress the regeneration 

of desirable native 

tree species (oaks and 

hickories), leading to a 

shift in woodland tree 

composition. 

Trillium in flower next to numerous 

browsed stems 

Shade-tolerant species (maples) and invasive species (buckthorn) 

become more prevalent. 

• The conditions created by overbrowsing favor invasive species. 

Reforestation 

• Newly planted trees that are repeatedly 

browsed by deer have reduced growth and 

lower survival rates. 

• The District has planted 20,000 oak 

seedlings in the last 5 years as part of a 

long-term reforestation program. 

Other Species 

• The loss of plant species and structural diversity in the forest 

understory affects birds and other species who require these areas 

for food, nesting and cover. 

• The decline of native mastproducing 

species in the 

canopy will affect many species, 

including squirrels, 

chipmunks, mice, as 

well as deer. There 

will be less available 

Ovenbirds are one of various ground-nesting forest species 

food.


Impacts on Human Safety & Property 

Deer Vehicle Collisions 

• High deer populations in areas of high human population 

increase the potential for deer-vehicle collisions. 

• Kane County averaged 510 deer-vehicle collisions reported 

per year, from 1994-2008. 

Tick-borne Diseases 

• Lyme disease: Deer are not the reservoir of the disease 

agent, but are the preferred host of the adult stage of the 

primary vector, the black-legged tick. 

• Babesiosis: This parasite affects blood cells in humans and 

can be severe. Deer are not the reservoir for this disease, 

but are the preferred host of the adult stage of the tick that 

spreads the disease, the black-legged tick. 

• Anaplasmosis: This bacterial infection affects white blood 

cells. It can be transmitted to humans by the black-legged 

tick. There are a wide range of hosts including deer, rodents 

and livestock. 

• These diseases are complex and involve many species, but 

deer play a role. 

Property Damage 

• Deer browsing and antler rubbing can cause economic 

losses to agricultural operations, orchards, and tree farms, 

as well as cause substantial damage to landscape and 

garden vegetation.

Deer Population Health 

Chronic Wasting Disease 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) 

• CWD is a 100% fatal disease of the nervous system 

that affects deer and elk. 

• First found in Illinois in 2002, CWD was discovered 

in Kane County in 2010. 

• CWD is currently found in 4 Kane County townships. 

So far, 11 positive deer have been found in Kane County. 

• The primary transmission route is most likely direct 

contact (i.e., nose to nose). Growing evidence suggests 

indirect transmission is important as well (environmental 

contamination). 

• High deer populations are more conducive to the 

transmission and spread of CWD.

Research 

Aerial Counts 

Helicopter Surveys 

• Beginning in 2008, aerial counts have been conducted 

from a helicopter. 

• Aerial counts are conducted in winter, when adequate snow 

cover exists (more than 3 inches). 

• Two observers count deer, while transects are flown across 

an area. 

• Detection is imperfect. Aerial surveys typically 

underestimate the number of deer. 

60 

Deer per square mile 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

2008-2009 

2009-2010 

2010-2011 

Initial Goal 

0 

Oakhurst 

LeRoy Oakes 

Johnson's Mound 

Helm Woods 

Freeman Complex 

Dick Young 

Burnidge 

Burlington 

Brunner Complex 

Bliss-Hannaford 

Blackberry Maples 

Big Rock 

Aurora West

Forest Preserve District of Kane County 

Land Management and Restoration 

Staff and volunteers use a variety of techniques to recreate and 

restore habitat, and to improve the resiliency of our natural 

areas, including: 

• Seed collection, propagation and sowing 

• Controlled burning 

• Invasive species control 

• Tree planting/reforestation

Deer Management 

Research 

Browse Studies 

• The District is currently 

monitoring woody 

browse, indicator species, 

special populations and 

reforestation plantings at 

several sites. 

• Outside research of Kane 

County woodlands has also 

occurred over a 20-year period. 

• Research has found a decline in oak regeneration, a 

decrease in shrub species richness, an increase in the 

dominance of maples, and increases in invasive species. 

• Changes were attributed to reduced fire and disturbances, 

canopy closure and overbrowsing by white-tailed deer. 

• Woody browse surveys conducted thus far have recorded 

high levels of browse, shifting species composition, 

low presence of native shrub species, and low numbers 

of oak seedlings.


How Are Similar Agencies Addressing This Issue? 

Deer 

Agency Management Sharpshooting Hunting 

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Yes Yes No 

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Yes Yes No 

Forest Preserve District of Lake County Yes Yes No 

Forest Preserve District of Will County Yes Yes No 

McHenry County Conservation District Yes Yes Yes 

Boone County Conservation District Yes No Yes 

Forest Preserve District of Winnebago County Yes Yes No 

Forest Preserve District of Rock Island County Yes No Yes 

Forest Preserve District of Kendall County No No No


Need for a Program 

• Growing deer populations are a concern in Kane County 

and across the 8-county Chicago region. 

• Population levels are increasingly at odds with maintaining 

plant diversity in natural areas, and at times, impact the 

safety and property of the public. 

• We have deer populations that are higher than most 

conservation agencies manage for, to maintain diverse 

and sustainable ecosystems. 

• There is evidence of ecological impacts in some of 

Kane County’s finest natural areas.

Deer Management Program 

Mission & Goals 

Mission 

The mission of the program will be to maintain and enhance 

the diversity of flora and fauna within preserves. The program 

shall protect natural and restored plant communities from 

excessive deer impact by managing deer populations at levels 

compatible with the long-term health of ecosystems, using safe, 

effective and state-approved methods. 

Goals and Objectives 

• Natural Resources Goal: Manage and maintain a healthy, 

stable deer population, appropriate to the habitat present at 

District preserves. 

- Population Objective: Establish population levels 

for deer at each site or complex of preserves. 

- Ecological Impact Objectives: Establish site or 

complex-specific objectives related to habitat, plant 

communities and restoration efforts, to preserve 

and enhance native plant communities and their 

associated fauna. 

• Public Safety Goal: Enhance the safety of the public 

through management, where necessary. 

- Public Health and Safety Objectives: Establish site or 

complex-specific objectives related to the enhancement 

of the health and safety of the public. Reduce deervehicle 

collisions in management areas. Research 

zoonotic diseases. 

• Communication Goal: Maintain communication 

with preserve users and neighbors. 

- Communication Objective: Maintain 

communication with the public regarding 

deer management activities, current research 

and information for resolving deer issues.


Non-Lethal Options 

Take No Action 

• There would be implications in the long term on vegetation 

structure and diversity, sensitive and rare species, habitat 

quality, wildlife, and human health and safety with this 

option. 

• We must accept that high-quality ecosystems will be 

degraded by intense deer browsing. 

• Attempts to restore other areas with the influences of high 

deer densities would be a consideration. 

• This option is not compatible with the Forest Preserve 

District’s mission or its duty to be responsible stewards 

of public lands. 

Apply Frequent Repellents 

• This option requires frequent, yearly application. 

• Application is time- and labor-intensive. 

• Repellents cost approximately $100 per gallon and 

can treat roughly 400 tree saplings. 

• Repellents also appear to decline in efficacy when deer 

populations are high, as feeding pressure can overcome the 

repellents’ effects. 

Install Extensive Fencing 

• This option restricts movements of many species, 

not just deer. 

• Installing fencing is costly. Recently, 2,200 linear feet 

of 8-foot fence was quoted at $55,000. 

• Fencing or caging can be used to protect small, rare 

populations, but is not practical on large scales due to cost, 

roads, streams, utility right of way, etc. 

• Extensive fencing would degrade the aesthetic 

qualities of our natural areas.


Non-Lethal Options 

Trap and Relocate 

• Mortality rates of 66% to 85% have been reported within 

1 year, post relocation. 

• In 1990-1991, the Lake County Forest Preserve District 

reported costs of $603 to $1,261 per relocated deer. 

• Potential to spread diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease. 

• The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) 

will not issue deer population-control permits for this 

method. 

Fertility Control 

• Methods: surgical sterilization, hormone implantation, 

immunocontraception 

• Surgical sterilization requires a veterinarian and the capture 

of each doe. Costs are reported at $1,075 per deer, in a 

recent Cornell project. 

• Immunocontraception requires the darting or capture of 

each doe. 

• To cause a decline in population growth over time, 

70-90% of females need to be treated. 

• Immunocontaceptives currently require multiple 

treatments over time. 

• The cost of labor, materials and the feasibility of treating 

an adequate number of deer will likely limit the use of 

immunocontraceptives to small, insular herds that are 

habituated to humans. 

• IDNR will not issue deer population-control permits 

for experimental techniques. 

Supplemental Feeding 

• State law prohibits the feeding of deer. 

• Could encourage increased reproduction, 

which would increase ecological impacts.


Lethal Options 

Reintroduce Predators 

• Coyotes are the primary predator of deer in northern 

Illinois, but they generally take fawns. 

• Reintroducing large predators (wolves or mountain lions) 

that would commonly take adult deer is impractical 

for ecological (lack of large habitat areas), social (safety 

concerns), and legal reasons. 

Controlled Archery Hunting 

• Use hunting as a management tool during the legal season 

(Oct 1- Jan 20) by IDNR. 

• Controlled hunts allow additional rules and restrictions to 

address safety concerns and other issues unique to each site. 

• Program costs can be covered by user fees, rather than tax 

revenue. 

Sharpshooting 

• This option must be conducted under a Deer Population 

Control Permit (DPCP) from IDNR. 

• Sharpshooting entails the culling of deer at pre-selected 

locations, when preserves are closed to the public. 

• Deer must be processed and donated to charity. 

• Processing costs range from $30-$60 per deer. 

• Existing staff can be qualified as marksmen and 

markswomen, to limit personnel costs incurred.


Proposed Methods 

Current Status 

The District is already using non-lethal means (i.e., repellents 

and limited fencing) to mitigate deer impacts where practical 

and applicable. 

It is impossible to implement these methods over large areas, 

such as 1,000+ acre preserves. 

Currently, a field-proven, state-approved non-lethal means to 

reduce overabundant free-ranging deer populations does not 

exist. 


When necessary, lethal removal of deer is the most-viable 

option and is the staff-recommended approach for reducing 

deer densities across specific, not all, District lands. This 

option is the most practical and effective means to manage deer 

populations and shall best maintain them at levels compatible 

with long-term conservation objectives. 

The two primary lethal means of removal recommended are: 

1) Controlled archery hunting within the established deer 

hunting seasons. 

2) Sharpshooting under a Deer Population Control Permit 

from IDNR. 

These methods are not mutually exclusive, and depending 

on the location and other factors, controlled 

hunting can be utilized initially or during the 

“maintenance phase” of deer management, after 

sharpshooting in the “reduction phase.”



Controlled Archery Hunting 

• Safety would be the top priority of the program. 

• If approved, controlled hunts would be conducted within 

the season established by IDNR. 

• Program participants must comply with rules and regulations 

by the IDNR as well as the Forest Preserve District. 

• Proof of completion of an approved hunter safety course 

would be required. 

• Participants would be required to attend an orientation 

meeting and qualify during an archery proficiency test. 

• Program participants would be chosen by a lottery open 

only to Kane County residents. 

• The District would establish management zones based on 

available habitat, preserve boundaries, trails, access points, 

and recreational, residential and other developed areas. 

• A fee structure will be established to help offset the cost 

of managing the program. 

• The collection of a sample for Chronic Wasting Disease 

testing would be mandatory for participation. 

Sharpshooting 

• Safety would be the top priority of the program. 

• If approved, sharpshooting would take place in areas that 

cannot accommodate controlled hunts or where controlled 

hunts alone are not sufficiently reducing the deer population. 

• The District would comply with all regulations and 

requirements of the IDNR’s Deer Population Control Permit 

(DPCP). 

• Marksmen and markswomen would be required to 

successfully complete the IDNR qualification process. 

• Sharpshooting activity would be implemented while 

preserves are closed, to allow normal preserve 

use and ensure public safety. 

• The venison from all deer taken under a 

DPCP would donated to food pantries and 

charitable organizations, as is required.

Brook 

Gary 


Preliminary Site Identification 

Brunner Family 

Freeman Kame 

Lundstrom 

Winaki 

Nokomis 

Meghan 

Teri 

Charles 

Riverwood 

White Chapel 

Crescent 

Forest 

Lathrop 

Illinois Route 31 

Longcommon 

Angelina 

Bolz 

Ridgefield 

Huntley 

Barko 

Aztec 

West Hill 

Ridge 

Parsons 

Country School 

Algonquin 

Melody 

Oxford 

Castlewood 

Kings 

Lake Shore 

Carriage Way 

Gabrielle 

Adam 

Brotto 

Hannah Pearl 

Powers 

Freeman 

Mary 

Forest Trail 

Sunburst 

Blue Aster 

Galligan 

Miller 

Paperbark 

High Ridge 

Oak Knoll 

Commerce 

Sunset 

Skyline 

Binnie 

Park 

Koppie 

South Wind 

Lake Marian 

Huntley 

Harbor 

Anchor 

Rivers View 

Elm 

Western 

Fox River 

Lincoln 

Wisconsin 

Main 

Lord 

Green 

Maple 

Grove 

Day 

Memory 

Thatcher 

River Bluff 

Spring 

Park 

Williams 

Oak 

Vana 

Carpenter 

Goethe 

Windham 

Tamarac 

Cleveland 

Deer Hill 

Wilmette 

Rosewood 

J 

Brookdale 

Big Timber 

Tower Hill 

I-90 

Illinois Route 72 

Toll View 

Tyler Creek 

Park 

Industrial 

Willey 

Jackson 

Higgins 

Tyrrell 

Center 

Town Center 

J 

Elgin 

Sola


Summary 

• Similar to other urban and suburban areas in the Chicago 

area and throughout the United States, there is evidence 

of elevated deer populations at many District properties. 

• Some populations are well above levels, where other 

conservation agencies have observed substantial impacts 

to natural areas. 

• There is evidence of ecological impacts in some 

of Kane County’s finest natural areas. 

• Responsible stewardship and natural resource management 

require that we manage our natural areas for the long-term 

benefit of all species. 

• Having evaluated the options currently available for 

managing deer populations, controlled archery hunts and 

sharpshooting are the only safe, effective and state-approved 

means for reducing free-ranging deer populations. 

• Deer management is not a one time event, 

it is a long-term commitment.

Mission - Forest Preserve District of Kane County

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