City council to revisit possibility of urban deer hunting in Cape

Cape Girardeau's growing deer population has city leaders willing to take another look at the idea of urban deer hunting in hopes of curbing ravaged landscapes, car collisions and irritated residents.

At its Tuesday night pre-meeting study session, council member John Voss asked that the city revisit the idea of creating a highly restricted program that would allow bow-and-arrow hunting for does during the regular deer season.

Voss has presented a similar idea in the past but it didn't gain traction, he said. But on Tuesday night, he said he has again heard constituent complaints from some who live on Sylvan Lane.

"Apparently, the deer can't read the city limits signs," Voss joked.

But he said it is a serious problem.

"It's destroying landscapes, it's causing car crashes," he said "I think it's time we take a look at doing something."

The council directed city staff to look into the matter further. City manager Scott Meyer, who has done some preliminary research, said that, in 2010, the city received 76 deer-related calls, including 47 to pick up dead deer and 38 for car collisions.

"There are a significant amount of deer out there," Meyer said.

The Missouri Department of Conservation offers training for archery hunting. If the council moves forward and adopts an ordinance, one possibility is that the city could allow trained hunters to hunt does, not bucks, to reduce the population, Meyer said.

They could require special permits, he said, special training and taught how to take deer down quickly and only on private property, he said.

"It is a lot more complicated than I thought it would have to be," he said.

The first step, Meyer said, would be to have a representative from the state conservation department come to one of the next two meetings to explain the program and answer questions.

Council members said they are willing to at least explore the possibility of creating such a program and changing the laws to allow it.

"It's worth taking a look at how to maintain or control the population growth," said council member Mark Lanzotti. "It sounds like another tool. Let's see if we need to put it in our toolbox."

Mayor Harry Rediger said he has lost flowers in his yard only to learn that a neighbor had set out a salt lick to draw in the deer. Rediger said some residents like seeing the deer from time to time.

"It will be controversial," Rediger said. "There will be people for and against this. I know some people love seeing the little deer. But it is an issue and it is becoming a problem."

Voss said he does not have his mind made up, but he thinks the council should at least take a look at it.

"We need to look at it," he said. "It would be a methodical and planned approach. But we need to see if there are any downsides. Right now, we're just sticking our toe in the water."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

401 Independence, Cape Girardeau, MO