NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — When deer come to town, not everyone greets them with a friendly “howdy.”
Deer, the favorite game animal for hundreds of thousands Arkansans, can be a nuisance and a danger for motorists, especially in cities.
Several Arkansas communities have turned to limited and tightly controlled archery hunting as a means to reduce the number of deer.
These urban deer hunts take place under tight guidelines set by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
A factor in this deer-in-town issue are the residents who actually want an overabundance of deer. They enjoy seeing them close at hand and even feed them.
“Don’t kill my deer” is a common reaction city off cials hear. Controversy erupts.
Eight Arkansas towns have set deer hunts this fall and winter. Eureka Springs, Fairfield Bay, Heber Springs,Lakeview, Bull Shoals, Horseshoe Bend, Cherokee Village and Russellville have deer hunts that will be run by Game & Fish and the Arkansas Bowhunters Association.
All urban deer hunts start Sept. 1 and close Jan. 31. All hunting is archery only with compound bows, longbows or recurves. Crossbows are not allowed.
Why bows and not guns? Safety is the answer.
Bows don’t shoot as far as firearms. Bows are quiet.Neighbors aren’t disturbed when an arrow is released.
Urban deer hunts have been going on in Arkansas for several years. Results have been somewhat encouraging at best. Deer have been killed by urban hunters, but not to the extent city leaders and Game & Fish would like.
By restricting the hunts to archery, the field of potential hunters is reduced. Not everyone hunts with a bow.
In addition, the hunters at seven of those eight communities go through some rigorous qualifi cations to hunt. Eureka Springs, holding a hunt for the first time this season, won’t require everything the other towns do, but will follow most of the procedures.
The urban archers have restrictions on where and how they hunt. They must:
Hunt in designated areas. If hunting on private property, they must possess written permission from the property owner.
Hunt at least 50 yards from designated trails and parks.
Hunt at least 50 yards from an occupied dwelling without written permission.
Keep all bows cased when going to and from stands.
Shoot only from stands at least 10 feet high. Ground blinds are not allowed.
Cover harvested deer from sight before transporting from the fi eld.
Remove harvested animals during daylight hours if possible.
Donate first deer to Arkansas Hunters Feedingthe Hungry.
The required bowhunting education classes are coming up July 14 and 15 at Lake Dardanelle State Park and July 21 at Fairfi eld Bay.
Eureka Springs won’t require this.
Hunters can go to agfc.com for more information and to apply for the urban deer hunts.
Outdoor, Pages 8 on 06/28/2012