BY SCOTT SULLIVAN
EDITOR
A Douglas public notice issued last Thursday said let city deer hunting start on 17 public acres (see map) north of Wiley Road, south of Ferry Steet, west of Northern Lights Condominiums.
Tighten bow strings, retest sites, pack fresh arrows in quivers and thin growing herds feeding on now-human lawns and gardens spreading too. Space for this new competition on the old Mi-Ro Golf Course is limited.
“While the presence of deer,” says the city notice, “can be a charming aspect of our natural environment, this growth has begun to pose challenges to public safety and property.
“We understand the importance of maintaining a balance between human activities and wildlife, and are committed to addressing this issue responsibly.
“After careful consideration and in consultation with experts in the field, we have decided to undertake a managed deer harvest (up to 15 deer) on the designated property using only bow and arrow, in line with state standards and regulations.”
City council — which has fielded wildlife complaint, deer especially, for years — once more discussed doing so at its Oct. 2 public meeting, preface to enacting the plan Monday, Oct. 16.
The harvest will start in early November and run through December under eyes of West Michigan Wildlife Management.
Venison collected will be processed, inspected, then donated to charities that serve local groups in need. For more information, call city hall at (269) 857-1438.