Deer committee

The number of deer in the Cape Girardeau city limits has led to a new seven-member group tasked with studying the issue, hearing from a variety of individuals, and eventually making a recommendation to the Cape Girardeau City Council as to what should be done to mitigate the issue.

One of the key topics at stake is urban bow hunting, a practice that would allow hunters specially trained and licensed to harvest deer inside city limits.

Tomorrow the committee -- made of five men and two women, including a retired contractor, a veterinarian, an insurance salesman and a university employee -- is set to meet and hear from either the Missouri Department of Conservation or an animal control officer from the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

City manager Scott Meyer said he expects the committee will hold at least one public hearing to gain feedback from the community. Assistant police chief Roger Fields is serving as the staff liaison to the committee. He said any public hearing may not happen until April or May. The entire process could take nearly a year.

We appreciate the committee members for taking the time to understand the issue and gain feedback from the public. Furthermore, their willingness to have an open mind and make a thoughtful recommendation is commendable.

This issue has garnered a great deal of attention in the community; many opinions having been expressed in the Speak Out section on this page. For these individuals and anyone else who may have an opinion on the issue, we would encourage you to attend the public hearing when announced. In the meantime, the committee has an opportunity to collect information, learn and then share their findings with the broader community -- one way or another.