News Release

Fire Island National Seashore to Continue Deer Management at the William Floyd Estate and on Fire Island

Date: February 18, 2021
Contact: Kaetlyn Jackson
Contact: Jordan Raphael

Patchogue, NY – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that deer removal operations, approved through the Fire Island National Seashore White-tailed Deer Management Plan will be implemented during a window of operations from February 19 through March 31, 2021 at the William Floyd Estate, a unit of Fire Island National Seashore located on Long Island, and on NPS-lands on Fire Island.  
 
“We hope our continued efforts help all native plants and wildlife to thrive on Fire Island and at the William Floyd Estate. We look forward to having another safe and successful year,” said Fire Island National Seashore Superintendent Alexcy Romero. The overabundance of white-tailed deer has decreased available habitat for other native species, like turkeys, rabbits, songbirds, and hawks. The National Park Service is charged with maintaining a balanced ecosystem for the benefit of the environment and for future generations to enjoy. 
 
This year’s deer removal operations is an effort to reach desired deer densities that will support natural regeneration of habitats. The desired deer density at the William Floyd Estate and island-wide on Fire Island is approximately 20 to 25 deer per square mile, which allows for a healthier, more diverse forest habitat which can support a healthy deer herd as well as the other native wildlife.  
 
“Safety is our top priority during this operation,” said Mr. Romero. The Seashore has contracted with highly qualified wildlife professionals to carry out the removal operations at the William Floyd Estate and on federal lands on Fire Island. Deer reduction activities will occur on federal lands only. Areas of the park will be closed when operations are underway for the safety of the public.  
 
Additional information about deer management efforts, including outreach and education, frequently asked questions, and research articles can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/learn/management/deer-management-plan.htm
 
The plan, approved in April 2016, sets forth an integrated deer management strategy to achieve a deer density goal of 20 to 25 deer per square mile and to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The management strategy outlined in the plan includes the following: 

• Expanded education and outreach; 
• Increased deer and vegetation monitoring and research; 
• Fencing;  
• Deer population reduction and maintenance through removal operations;
• A public hunt only within the Fire Island Wilderness;
• and fertility control, should a federally-approved agent become available and meet the established criteria laid out in the plan.