In-town deer hunts... What do you think?

Question

My city once again is offering archers the chance to take deer within city limits. Of course, each archer that applies and gets an in-town tag must pass an accuracy test. I bowhunt any chance I get, but I don't feel comfortable hunting in town. I guess my argument is that any deer I've ever hit with an arrow has run, may not have run far, but it has run a ways before it has died. So, I can just picture a deer running from a chunk of timber onto an elementary school playground to croak, dentist office parking lot, etc. Last year archers killed 360 deer in town, with no episodes like I mentioned above. The DNR is doing this for herd control. What do you think?

JD, they did hire sharpshooters two years ago, and that caused more of a stir than the in-town archers. I am lucky enough to hunt on 150 acres of private timber. I have seen decimated deer because of lack of food or disease, but not in a long, long time. Not since our winters seem to be more mild. I remember the snow being up to your knees when I first started hunting. Now in November, you might have to skip hunting to mow your lawn!

Answer 1

I would think you will be hunting farther away from schools where the deer should die before it gets to the swingset, (merry go round for sure.. j.k.) From what i understand they put you in areas where homeowners want deer removed they better explain the joys of hunting to their little deers before they come home crying because you shot bambi. i would go for it if you are confident in your equipment and your shooting

Answer 2

I live in town and at my local Bass Pro Shop they are offering the same thing for a certain county. Archers only - and must pass an accuracy test first. I agree that it could be a situation if a deer expires on a playground full of kids. All the soccer-moms would freak out and think their kids were in danger of being hit by an arrow. BUT, I live in a large apartment complex in the middle of yuppie-ville......and I saw a six-pointer run through here last fall. So obviously something needs to be done. Qualified archers seems to be the best answer to me. No noise and short trajectory. The only other idea I've had on this would be a professional hunter with a silencer and night vision - and making it all happen at night so most people would never know about it. I've seen some products for flower gardens to keep deer away - some kind of spray that pushes them away. Maybe spray the city with that like some towns do for mosquitoes?

Answer 3

First off you never mentioned what state or city you are refering to.I don't want to preach to you about the pro's and con's of this but you have to consider the situation for a realistic perspective. If there are those kind of numbers of Deer in town, I can't imagine what else could be done short of hiring a professional hunter to thin the population. The town budget probably can't afford the cost so this is a cost effective way of reducing the shear numbers. If you have ever seen the sadness of Deer herds starving to death and dropping dead for lack of food, you would accept this situation much easier. The Deer can't be poisoned or relocated. I think it's pretty amazing that tthe number of Deer you said were killed without incident is quite a feat anywhere here in the U.S. I would think it would be worse during the fall rut when the bucks go a little crazy and the does are in esterus.Deer can do a lot of damage to glass windows and peoples property if threatened and panic. Thats quite a problem you have an no uncomplicated quick fix.

Answer 4

I have hunted in town also and true not everyone is as honest about the shooting skills as you. I use the swing method and it has helped me a great deal. use a stuffed animal large like from the carnival the one in the garage always in the way anyway or buy one. hang it in the yard or at you practice spot use a battery inverter hook up a large fan when it is moving around a lot walk away draw to knock point turn aim shoot with in 5 seconds you will be more confident after you miss a hundred times then start hitting all the time the first time I did this I missed 10 times got real peed but it was a suggestion from a nother hunter by the way he was 62 at that time 6 yrs ago I have a full freezer still and its July. luck

Answer 5

The sign to my shop has been hunted more than the deer in this area. In town hunting is asking for trouble. Someone will eventually miss and aunt martha wont like uncle roy coming home with an arrow in his... seat. I'm glad to see that you are aware of your prowess and careful.

Answer 6

now is the time to get that a$$hole you don't like
accidents happen every hunting season.

Answer 7

good idea