Fort Smith directors split on urban hunting

FORT SMITH — Fort Smith city directors are split on whether to authorize deer hunting in an area of Chaffee Crossing that is within the city limits.

The directors voted 4-3 Tuesday approving an ordinance allowing archery deer hunting on city property. Voting in favor of the ordinance were directors Keith Lau, Andre Good, Mike Lorenz and Kevin Settle. Directors George Catsavis, Pam Weber and Philip Merry voted against it.

The ordinance will require two additional readings for final approval because the measure failed to get a two-thirds favorable majority. A second reading of the ordinance has been scheduled for Feb. 5, according to the city clerk’s office.

Allowing a hunt at Chaffee Crossing was recommended by Police Chief Kevin Lindsey.

Ralph Meeker, assistant deer program coordinator with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, told city directors last week that the growth of Arkansas cities and the growth of the state’s deer population have led to more interaction between the two.

Instances of deer-vehicle collisions are on the rise, and diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are more prevalent in areas that have large white-tailed deer populations, Meeker said.

He said the deer hunt at Chaffee Crossing would be more about ensuring the health of humans than thinning the deer herd.

Directors opposing the ordinance said hunters could put the public at risk.

Weber said she feared for the safety of children playing in the woods.

She also said more and more people are moving to Chaffee Crossing, and many go there to ride bicycles, walk or jog. They could be hit by a wayward arrow, she said.

“One child [accidentally shot] would be too many,” Merry said.

He said he thought Meeker and the Game and Fish Commission were recommending the deer hunt as a “want” rather than a “need.”

Lindsey told Merry that he recommended the hunts.

Proponents said increasing vehicle-deer collisions are a concern and that an ordinance would be a way to ensure that the hunts are conducted safely.

According to the proposed ordinance, archery hunters would be prohibited from using crossbows; would have to use deer stands of at least 10 feet high so the hunters would be shooting downward; and could not hunt within 50 yards of homes, public trails, golf courses, parks, utility installations or paved roads.

Each hunter also would have to have a valid urbanbowhunting permit issued by the Game and Fish Commission, pass the International Bowhunter Education Course, attend an urbanhunt orientation and pass a proficiency test.