EAST LANSING (AP) — Officials in East Lansing have approved a lethal option to manage the growing number of deer in the mid-Michigan city.

The city council voted this week to authorize culling as a way to reduce deer herds, the Lansing State Journal reported.

East Lansing’s city manager would have to initiate a cull and partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s wildlife services to bring in sharpshooters to target deer in city parks.

Residents would be given advance notice of the hunts, according to the newspaper.

Environmental Services Administrator Catherine DeShambo told city officials that December is the earliest a deer cull could be held because the Agriculture Department is “completely booked up.”

The cost would be just under $6,000, she added.

But City Manager George Lahanas said East Lansing likely will budget closer to $20,000 in case the program would be needed in more areas for a longer period.