The Michigan SAF hopes that information from this conference can be applied to improve natural resource management throughout the State of Michigan and be used in similar geographic regions. The highly controversial nature of this topic is certainly recognized. Solutions will have to largely come from outside the strictly scientific base of knowledge, although the science strongly supports the position that deer in many areas have become overabundant and negative environmental and ecological impacts have been ongoing for substantial periods of time. The body of research is compelling, yet not complete. Forest management practices as they affect habitat quality can certainly be used (and have been for decades) to impact deer populations. As forest managers, we need to re-evaluate our role in the overabundance of deer populations. However once again, solutions must largely come from the socio-political arena.

For those interested in a comprehensive and well-done review of the issues, begin reading the review prepared by Steeve Cote et al. (2004). Jean-Pierre Tremblay presented some of the elements of this review at the conference.   Post-conference, in June 2008, the U.S. Forest Service published a deer impacts document "Impacts of White-Tailed Deer Overabundance in Forest Ecosystems: An Overview".

In 2007, as a result of conference evaulations, the Michigan SAF membership was surveyed about their perceptions of deer impacts on the forests. A report on the results of this survey has been prepared and made available (~0.9 mb pdf file).