MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WILX) - Meridian Township is heading into the 15th year of its deer management program, an effort designed to reduce deer-related car crashes, protect property, and maintain a healthy balance in the local deer population.

Since the program began in 2011, the township has seen a nearly 50% drop in car-deer collisions.

The program relies on more than 60 selected volunteer hunters, who are carefully vetted and trained before participating.

“Our volunteer hunters have to check in and out every time they go in and out of a property. They all have ID on them. They all get a lot of directions and rules set upon them,” said Emma Campbell, Meridian Township’s Land Stewardship Coordinator.

Matt DeLong, who has been a volunteer with the program for 15 years, said hunters

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