http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/deer-hunt-near-lake-springfield-helps-manage-population_72784.mp3
Deer hunting is more than just a sport: it serves a useful purpose in maintaining a healthy deer population. Right now, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and City Utilities are coordinating a deer hunt around Lake Springfield. KSMU’s Julie Greene has the story.
Fifteen hunters across Missouri were randomly selected to take part in this annual managed deer hunt. Each hunter is assigned a specific location on City Utilities’ land on the south side of Lake Springfield and is only allowed to hunt with a bow.
In Missouri, there are two types of deer-hunting seasons: firearms and archery. This hunt is archery only because the location is considered an urban area, which calls for a short-range activity.
Francis Skalicky, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Conversation, says an overabundance of deer causes many problems.
“Deer population can get out of control. They can get too abundant, and when they get too abundant, what happens is you have a higher instance of deer getting into gardens eating the shrubs causing foraging problems. And you also have a higher risk of deer vehicle accidents. Obviously, in urban settings, you have streets and roads, and when you have a high number of deer, you have people driving those streets and roads that have a higher chance of hitting a deer,” Skalicky said.
Skalicky says the goal of the urban hunt is to keep deer at a manageable level. The hunt’s location was chosen because of its high deer population. According to the MDC, a healthy deer population ranges from 15-25 deer per square mile. And right now, deer populations for the Lake Springfield area are way above that--more like 90-100 per square mile.
“A bobcat or a coyote may take a fawn, but an adult deer would have no predators, so there's no predators to control the deer population, so that leaves it to hunting. This managed hunt would be a great way to keep the deer to a level where it won’t be problematic to the people living in that area,” Skalicky said.
Each participant can harvest a total of three deer. Hunters are allowed one buck, also known as antlered deer, but they must check in a doe first. That's because studies have shown the best way to control deer populations is to focus hunting on female deer.
For KSMU News, I’m Julie Greene.