A environmentalist created a citizen task force to study regional deer populations levels.

David Riehlman, a senior wildlife biologist for the state Department of Environmental Conservation in Cortland, helped form the group to provide input to the DEC on deer population levels in a region that includes portions of Cayuga and Tompkins counties.

Renee Jensen of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County is facilitating the meetings.

The task force is part of setting deep population goals. The group encompasses a variety of representatives, including sportsmen, farmers, rural landowners, business owners, forest property owners, tourists and environmentalists.

However, the group wants input from other citizens impacted by deer.

The groups requests comments, ideas, or concerns before Thursday, April 12.

Call the person that represents your area of interest:

€ Business: Debbie Lampman, 364-8725 or Jim Wilcox, 364-8076

€ Sportsmen: Cayuga County - Dennis Zach, 252-9140 or Tompkins County - John Huether (607) 844-9439

€ Environmental Community: Paul Lattimore 730-3003, Mike Burger, (607) 229-4635, or Robin Bell (607) 272-2074

€ Tourism: Gary Duckett, 253-4319

€ Forest Owner: Edward Nuhauser, (607) 898-3614