Fertility Control Research

"Field sterilization of white-tailed deer," South Euclid, Beachwood, and Shaker Heights, Ohio: The cities of South Euclid, Beachwood, and Shaker Heights represent some of the most challenging situations for deer managers in suburban northeast Ohio, each characterized by densely developed single-family neighborhoods interspersed with small wooded corridors, no hunting access, and no non-human predators. Beachwood and Shaker Heights have partnered on a coordinated sharpshooting program since the 2021 to 2022 season, with a combined 80 deer culled across both communities during the 2025 to 2026 season, while South Euclid has employed sharpshooting since 2020. Beginning in 2021, White Buffalo implemented surgical sterilization in South Euclid alongside culling, and a three-year cooperative study documented an approximately 37% city-wide reduction in deer density, with near-complete suppression of recruitment in areas where greater than 95% of females were sterilized. With sterilization expanded city-wide in South Euclid in 2025, and both Beachwood and Shaker Heights launching their own sterilization programs in January 2026, the three communities now represent a coordinated regional effort to address deer movement across shared boundaries. Across the January 2026 operational period, 21 females were sterilized in Beachwood (Year 1) and 22 in Shaker Heights (Year 1), adding to the 168 females sterilized in South Euclid over five consecutive years of operations.

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"Field sterilization of white-tailed deer," Tega Cay, South Carolina: Tega Cay is a densely developed municipality of approximately 3.2 miles² in northern South Carolina, where limited hunting opportunity, excellent deer habitat, and the absence of natural predators allowed the population to grow to a minimum of 800 deer within city limits, creating concerns over deer-vehicle collisions and damage to landscape plantings. Firearms discharge restrictions and development density limited the effectiveness of sharpshooting, making surgical sterilization a critical component of the management plan. In Year 1 (October 21 through November 3, 2024), we captured 206 deer using remote-injection darting techniques; of 203 females captured, 201 were sterilized via ovariectomy and/or oviductal obliteration with transection, with 20 individuals fitted with VHF radio collars to monitor survival and support future capture efforts. The estimated cost per female deer sterilized was $1,337, with a total effort of 1,640 person-hours.

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“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” Mt Storm Park, Cincinnati, Ohio: We captured 41 females over 6 days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (December 2015).  

 

“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” Village of East Hampton, New York: We captured 114 females over 12 days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (January 2015). We captured 46 females over eight days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies. We also performed 50 vasectomies on males (November 2015).  

 

“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland: We captured 24 females over three days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (December 2014). We captured five females in one day using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (December 2015).  

 

“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” Fairfax City, Virginia: We captured 18 females over six days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies/tubal ligations (January/February 2014). We captured 18 females over five days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies/tubal ligations (January 2015). We captured six females over three days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies/tubal ligations (December 2015).  

 

“Field sterilization of black-tailed deer,” The Villages Golf and Country Club, San Jose, California: We captured all females (99) over nine days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies/tubal ligations (January/February 2013).  We captured nine females using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (October 2013).  Population estimates were derived using local demographics and the known number of females in conjunction with Distance sampling surveys. Detailed data on immigration and survival rates also were collected (November 2014).

 

“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” Cayuga Heights, New York: We captured 137 females (>97% of females present) over 14 days using a combination of drop nets and darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (December 2012). We captured all remaining females (n = 12) using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies. (December 2013). Population estimates were derived using local demographics and the known number of females in conjunction with camera surveys at baited locations. Detailed data on immigration and survival rates also were collected.

 

“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” Wildlife Rescue, Phoenix, Maryland: We captured 32 does over eight days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (February 2011). We captured 14 does over five days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (February 2012). We captured nine does over three days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies. (February 2013 and 2014). We captured 11 does over four days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies. (February 2015). Population estimates were derived using local demographics and the known number of females in conjunction with direct observations at baited locations. Data on immigration and survival rates also were collected.

 

“Evaluation of hand-injection versus dart administered GonaCon in female white-tailed deer,” Bridgeport, Connecticut: A research project to determine the relative efficacy of the GonaCon vaccine when administered via two different approaches (January 2013–February 2014).

 

“Field sterilization of white-tailed deer,” Town and Country, Missouri: We captured 100 does using a combination of drop nets and darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (December 2009). We captured 30 does over six days using darting techniques and performed ovariectomies (December 2010). Population estimates were derived using Distance sampling methods.

 

“Feasibility and efficiency of field sterilizations via tubal ligation/ovariectomy in female white-tailed deer,” Bridgeport, Connecticut: A research project to determine the relative efficiency of sterilization procedures compared to immunocontraceptive vaccines (2008–2011).

 

“Efficacy evaluation of the GonaConTM immunocontraceptive vaccine in fallow deer: an EPA pivotal field study,” Point Reyes National Seashore, California: This study is to be conducted as a requirement of the EPA authorization process for a New Animal Drug. The primary objective is to verify the magnitude and duration of a single shot of GonaConTM on female fallow deer.  Seventy does were captured and treated (July 2007–2009).

 

“Efficacy evaluation of the GonaConTM immunocontraceptive vaccine in white-tailed deer: an EPA pivotal field study,” Giralda Farms, Madison, New Jersey: This study is to be conducted as a requirement of the EPA authorization process for a New Animal Drug. The primary objective is to verify the magnitude and duration of a single shot of GonaConTM on female white-tailed deer. Sixty-six does were captured and treated (July 2005–2009).

 

“Experimental density maintenance using infertility agents of a suburban population of white-tailed deer following a reduction using sharpshooting techniques,” Newark, Delaware: A research project to assess the utility of combining fertility control methods with lethal management options within a 600 acre privately owned facility. Twenty-one deer were captured and 100 harvested (August 2005–2008).

 

“Experimental control of a suburban population of white-tailed deer using immunocontraception,” Princeton Township, New Jersey: A research project to assess the practicality and feasibility of reducing, then maintaining the local deer population, within a 3 square mile area of town, at approximately 40 deer per square mile using SpayVac and GonaConTM. To date, 105 does have been captured and treated.  The first year’s funding was provided by White Buffalo, Inc. (March 2003–2008).

 

“Evaluation of alternative PZP immunocontraceptive formulations in female white-tailed deer,” Bridgeport, Connecticut: A research project to determine the relative efficacy and longevity of various formulations of the PZP vaccine (June 2000–2007).

 

“Cost-effectiveness of maintaining an enclosed deer population using anti-fertility agents after an initial population reduction using sharpshooting techniques,” Duke Farms, Hillsborough, New Jersey: A research project to assess the utility of combining fertility control methods with lethal management options within a 2700 acre privately owned facility. Forty deer were captured and 221 harvested (November 2004–2006).

 

“Experimental control of an urban population of white-tailed deer using contraception,” Cleveland, Ohio: A research project to assess the feasibility and practicality of using a contraceptive agent to reduce herd size in the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation.  Over 300 deer captured.  Funding provided by the Cleveland Metroparks (March 2001–2005).

 

“Experimental control of an enclosed suburban population of white-tailed deer using contraception,” Bridgeport Connecticut: Designed and implemented a research protocol to assess the feasibility and practicality of using a contraceptive agent to maintain herd size (June 1999–June 2000).