MOUNT VERNON — City council members postponed indefinitely an ordinance allowing deer hunting on 40 acres on Vernonview Drive north of Coshocton Avenue. The move effectively kills the legislation.
The city’s ordinance allowing deer hunting in other parts of the city is void as well because of policy changes within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The city’s ordinance is based on the property owner receiving a deer damage permit from ODNR; however, ODNR no longer issues deer damage permits within municipalities.
Molly Prasher, clerk of council and executive assistant to Granville’s village manager, explained Granville’s policies and procedures relating to deer hunting within village limits. The village began allowing bow hunting in 2007 when the deer population reached 100 deer in a square mile.
“We should have 18 to 20,” she said.
Hunters apply for a permit and are required to show proof they attended training, provide a resume stating their hunting experience and pass an archery test. Property owners voluntarily allow their property to be hunted. There must be a minimum of four acres in each zone; the acreage may consist of several smaller contiguous parcels. The village has 40 zones and has policies regarding harvesting of bucks and does.
Prasher said the village makes every allowance for those uncomfortable with hunting within the village while at the same time accommodating the hunters. Granville has a $100 fine for feeding deer.
Gary Comer, wildlife management supervisor for District 1 Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said there are no effective deer contraceptive programs other than injection or permanent sterilization.
“These [hunting] programs are very successful … and are based on the need and comfort level [of the community.] They can be as complicated as you want or they can be as simple as you want them to be,” he told council.
Michael Budd, Knox County Game Warden, said Gambier and Apple Valley have successful hunting programs within municipal limits. Regarding safety, he said arrows are typically shot at a downward angle from a tree stand; they don’t have the range that bullets do and they don’t have the ricochet ability of bullets.
Police Chief Roger Monroe said that deer hunting within city limits should be based on whether the deer are a nuisance.
“If we have a problem with deer, do a study. If we have a reason for [hunting], fine. If we don’t, then let’s not do it,” he said.
Upland Terrace resident Donald Carr, who lives south of the 40-acre parcel, said residents co-exist with the deer and have learned to deal with deer through repellent and other means.
“I don’t see an overpopulation of deer,” he said.
Jay Laymon of Blue Denim Tree Service said he is not a resident of the city but works within the city limits. An avid hunter, he said the current deer hunting ordinance is outdated and needs revised. He believes each person should do what he or she sees fit with their property; as a firefighter, he said he also understands the safety issue.
“I think with the help of ODNR it can be done safely,” he said.
Law Director Rob Broeren asked Comer what the density of deer should be in the city, and how can city officials work with ODNR to determine the current density. Comer replied that techniques include citizen science, mail delivery surveys, periodic driving surveys and helicopter flights under leaf-off conditions.
“We can help design and interpret these studies, but the burden falls on the community [to conduct them],” he said.
He added that deer generally fare well in urban areas, their reproductive rates are higher compared to rural areas and they have a longer lifespan.
