City of Union announces deer population reduction project to address public safety concerns
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, December 11th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION – This week, the City of Union announced it is moving forward with a formal deer reduction plan to address the local, and increasingly aggressive, urban deer population. Following a series of public meetings and an increasing amount of testimony indicating aggressive and disruptive behavior in local deer, the City has officially declared the urban deer population a public nuisance.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has similarly approved the public nuisance status and issued a permit for the removal of 50 deer from the city, which will take place over the coming winter. The removal process will be conducted in collaboration with ODFW and the USDA. The full release from the City of Union explaining the situation and the plan for the deer going forward is as follows:
Public news release from the City of Union:
The City of Union is moving forward with a targeted deer reduction project following nearly a year of escalating safety incidents, property damage, and documented aggressive behavior by deer within city limits. After extensive public meetings, formal review, and consultation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the City Council has determined that the urban deer population now constitutes a public nuisance and a meaningful threat to residents’ safety.
Over the past year, the City received a growing number of complaints from long-time and new residents regarding aggressive deer encounters. Reports included a child being threatened while walking a dog, an elderly resident being knocked to the ground, multiple unprovoked attacks on pets, and one incident resulting in a resident’s dog being killed in its own yard unprovoked. These concerns reflect a significant increase in aggressive behavior compared to prior years.
To address these issues, the City Council held nine public meetings in 2025 where residents provided testimony, shared experiences, and contributed to discussions on management options. After receiving public input, the Council voted to declare the urban deer population a public nuisance, adopt an updated ordinance prohibiting intentional or negligent feeding of wildlife, request ODFW assistance in establishing a formal reduction plan, and prepare educational materials for residents about safe coexistence and property protection.
ODFW reviewed the City’s documentation-including complaints, council minutes, and incident reports and formally concurred that the deer population in Union meets the state’s definition of a public nuisance and qualifies for deer reduction authorization under Oregon Administrative Rules.
ODFW has issued a permit to the City, allowing for the removal of 50 deer based on an estimated deer population of approximately 200 within city limits. Removal efforts will be carried out exclusively by USDA Wildlife Services, using humane, AVMA-approved methods and non-lead ammunition.
The City will assume all costs related to deer removal, meat processing, and salvage. All edible meat from the deer will be donated to local food banks, shelters, and charitable organizations serving residents in Union County. Any antlers will be donated to the Oregon Hunters Association whose mission is “Protecting Oregon’s wildlife, habitat and hunting heritage.” Hunting by the public is not permitted, as Oregon law prohibits hunting within city limits.
Next Steps
The City will coordinate with USDA Wildlife Services and ODFW to complete the project during the months of December and January.
A Message from the City Administrator
“Our primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of Union’s residents,” said City Administrator Celeste Tate. “This project is the result of months of public input, documented incidents, and collaboration with wildlife professionals. While decisions like these are never easy, they are necessary to protect our community while also providing a benefit to families in need through the donation of processed meat.”
Contact for Media Inquiries
City of Union
City Hall
Phone: 541-562-5197 x900
Email: admin@cityofunion.com Website: www.cityofunion.com
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(Authors note. Deer picture originally posted by ODFW)
