With the Rye City Council election around the corner on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, MyRye.com is publishing a series of issue focused articles highlighting the views of our candidates running for mayor and for city council.
Today we are highlighting the issue of deer management and the views of each of our six council candidates:
Democratic Party Candidates:
- Marion Anderson
- Amy Kesavan
- James Ward
GOP Party Candidates:
- James Fee
- Robin Thrush Jovanovich
- Maria Tufvesson Shuck
If you missed it, read Rye Mayoral Candidates Differ on Deer Management Strategies. Also read our recent reporting on deer and deer management in Rye. Now learn about the council candidate views on deer and deer management:
Deer Management
The City is assembling its first deer management committee, realizing that the massive overpopulation of deer has decimated our parks, our native plants and gardens and has been one of the factors contributing to the spread of invasive species.
Anderson: Please note: Rye City had a deer commission in 2017, and the current mayor dismantled the group.
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | We need to collect data to ascertain the deer populations |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts | Yes |
Kesavan:
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | We need a survey to determine the scope of the problem and look forward to supporting the deer management committee. |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts. | Yes |
Ward:
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | We need to find out. We are lacking in data that could help us inform our opinion. |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes. |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts | Yes. |
Fee:
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | Yes |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts | No, given the density of our community and the relatively small areas in which these activities might occur, Rye is not the right location for sharp shooters. |
Jovanovich:
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | Yes |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes. |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts | No, if that means the use of rifles. |
Shuck:
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | Yes |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts | I do not believe we are allowed to use sharp shooters in Rye. Professional bow and arrow hunters would be the solution. |
City code allows for a maximum fence height of six (6) feet on most private property – this is ineffective at deterring deer.
Proper deer fencing in a high deer pressure area should be eight feet (8) feet or higher. Would you support a change in City code that raises the max fence height to eight (8) feet or higher where six feet is currently indicated so residents can protect their private property from deer browse?
Yes or no?
Anderson: I would rather wait to develop my opinion after the reports are completed by the deer management committee.
Kesavan: Yes. I support raising the maximum fence height to eight feet, but this is an individual fix, not a systemic one. We do not want to see eight-foot fences go up as our deer solution. We should prioritize community-wide management.
Ward: I would be worried this would have unintended consequences. It could drastically change the look and feel of Rye while only having a limited impact on the problem as a whole.
Fee: Certainly not across the board, potentially in the larger residential zoning districts (R2/half acre and R1/one acre plus) but in smaller lot zones would be unsightly and change the character of the neighborhoods (e.g., 8-foot fences in zones where the side setbacks can also be as small as 8 feet, such as in R5).
Jovanovich: No. A six-foot fence is highly effective. We need to address the larger issue of the overpopulation of deer, many of which are starving.
Shuck: No – In this case I don’t believe in treating the symptoms of a problem. We know the root cause, so I am all in favor of addressing that – culling the deer. Any remaining issue is something I hope we can live with. For those who love their gardens, there are organic yard treatments to be used as deterrents. But currently we are fighting a losing war with the number of deer running around our neighborhoods and on the streets of Rye, causing traffic issues and spreading tickborne diseases.
Lightning Round
Please Answer the following questions Yes or No:
Anderson:
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | Let’s wait for the reports of the deer management committee |
Kesavan:
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | Yes | Deer are the primary host for ticks that spread Lyme disease, and they cause property damage. |
Ward:
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | Yes | It is not as simple as bringing in sharp shooters but I am hopeful the deer committee will make meaningful progress. |
Fee:
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | No. |
Jovanovich:
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | Yes | For many years residents have discreetly hired hunters who dispatch deer with bow and arrow and bring the meat to local food pantries. |
Shuck:
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | Already answered above. |
Read all our candidate interviews:
GOP Slate – Henderson / All in for Rye
- Q&A with Mayoral Candidate Bill Henderson
- Q&A with City Council Candidate James Fee
- Q&A with City Council Candidate Robin Thrush Jovanovich
- Q&A with City Council Candidate Maria Tufvesson Shuck
Independent Rick McCabe / McCabe for Mayor:
Democratic Slate – Nathan, Anderson, Kesavan & Ward for Rye:
- Q&A with Mayoral Candidate Josh Nathan
- Q&A with City Council Candidate Marion Anderson
- Q&A with City Council Candidate Amy Kesavan
- Q&A with City Council Candidate James Ward
