Study Goals

Study locations for deer research and 4-Poster device use have been identified on Shelter Island and in North Haven. Devices are being deployed and tick sampling conducted on Western Fire Island. The primary objective on Shelter Island is to evaluate the effect of 4-Poster devices on tick numbers, deer density, and deer behavior.  The North Haven site will be used as a ‘control’ to compare tick populations where 4-Poster devices are not present.  In North Haven and on Shelter Island, researchers will evaluate deer movements.  On Shelter Island, we will examine deer use of 4-Poster devices, as well as the impact device placement has on surrounding vegetation and deer encounters with roads and vehicles.  In addition, we will estimate both deer and tick densities, and evaluate the ability of 4-Poster technology to reduce tick abundance.  Due to aspects of tick biology, the full impact of 4-Poster use will not be known for at least two to three years.

Overview of Technical Concerns

The concerns of NYSDEC and DOH broadly fall into three general categories:

 I. Human and wildlife-associated risks due to change in deer movement and behavior.  Voiced concerns include:

      -    potential impact on vegetation near the deployed stations in both natural and residential settings

      -    possible increase in deer road crossing leading to more vehicle collisions

      -    increased contact and potential disease transmission between deer

      -    changes in deer mortality due to feeding or reduced tick pressure 

      -     use of feeding stations by non-target wildlife. 

 II.  Possible increased human exposure to permethrin via handling and consuming treated deer.   Concerns expressed are dermal exposure via the deer hide during handling as well as the possibility of permethrin accumulation in deer tissues that would be orally ingested by consumers of venison.

III. Efficacy of the 4-Poster system in controlling tick densities in human inhabited and visited areas.  The 4-Poster label dictates that stations must not be deployed within 100 yards of anywhere a child may be present without adult supervision.  It has been agreed that a reduction in tick densities can serve as the best proxy for a reduction in the likelihood of human disease transmission.

Study Areas

Shelter Island, New York is used as the study area and North Haven, New York is used as the control area for the 4-Poster Deer and Tick Control Study. Shelter Island Study Area A (South) is outlined in blue, Study Area B (North) in green, and the control site of North Haven is outlined in yellow.