Deer hunters killed 27 deer during Charleston’s special bow hunting season in late 2007. This was the third straight year the city has authorized a measure of controlled archery hunting within the city limits to try and erode the high number of urban deer.
"I think as we anticipate that these does could have up to two fawns each, it’s a significant impact upon the herd here in the city limits," said Charleston City Manager David Molgaard.
City officials loosened their restrictions on the cost of permits during 2007 and also expanded the number of hunting tracts in the city limits. The largest tract was 500 acres, but because the minimum size limit was reduced several tracts at just over five acres were added to the list of authorized hunting grounds.
"I suspect it’s going to take a few years, but the folks that have had damage occur and have problems with the impact of the deer realize we’re making reasonable efforts and strides to address the problem,” Molgaard told MetroNews Affiliate 58-WCHS in Charleston.
The controlled hunts are the best suggestions by the DNR to reduce urban deer numbers. Charleston city officials agreed to try the hunt a few years back to ease some of the gripes by homeowners who’s valuable landscaping was literally feeding dozens of whitetail deer in the city.
Hunter participation was much higher this year. City officials say the number of permits sold for the hunt, which ended December 31st, was up three-fold for 2007 at just over 100 permits issued.