The city of Thunder Bay is receiving mixed reviews on its proposed plan to control the city's deer population.
A two-part resolution has been put forth to cut down on deer in city limits. The first part involves putting a by-law in place as soon as possible to fine on anyone caught feeding deer. The second part would allow hunting inside the city, but with several restrictions.
At a public meeting held Thursday evening, residents had the chance to share their opinions on this plan.
Mirco Walther said he agrees with the plan to allow limited hunting in city limits as long as it’s limited to bow or cross-bow hunting. But requiring people to have a stand at least 75 metres away from a home would need to change he said.
“I don’t think that’s necessarily useful because it would disqualify the vast majority of property owners from hunting on their property,” he said.
But Yvonne Fourtin said the city could figure out a way to send deer back into forested areas so that natural predators could control the deer population.
“Being overpopulated like they are eventually nature will do the job to overcome this overpopulation,” she said.
City officials will turn residents' ideas into a report, which will be presented to city council on Nov. 21.
