Archery Deer Season in Fargo, ND

Since 2006, a limited number of bow hunters have been allowed to hunt within the city limits of Fargo, ND. The reason for a controlled archery season in Fargo, ND is because of an increasing number of deer in town. The hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the city.

Some people may think that hunting in the city could cause problems. Some of the problems people are concerned about are the injury of the citizens of Fargo and injured deer running into populated areas. The areas designated for hunting were selected for many reasons including the likelihood of civilian interaction and the habitat that deer frequent the most. More information about the areas selected for the archery season in Fargo and the reasons for the selection of those areas can be found at:

http://www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Deermanagementprogram.aspx

Bow hunting within city limits can also have its advantages. If a deer herd keeps increasing within town it would increase the chances of collisions with deer. Collisions with deer can cause major damage to vehicles and injuries to people. The archery season in Fargo would reduce the number of deer, which reduces the frequency of collisions. With fewer collisions, there would be a lower cost for the residents because they would not have to spend as much for repairs to vehicles and doctor bills.

Fargo is not the first city in ND to implement an archery season within city limits. Bismarck has had an archery season for many years before Fargo started an archery season. In order for archers to hunt in Fargo, the hunters need to pass a training program. Bismarck archers do not have to pass a training program. Bismarck’s archery season began in 1987 and Fargo’s archery season recently ended its third year. In the October 2008 ND Outdoors magazine is an article that talks about the Bismarck archery season and how other states and towns want to follow what Bismarck has done. Fargo was one of the cities that followed what Bismarck had started and the archery season been a success since the time it started three years ago.

I for one feel that the archery season in Fargo, ND will help to reduce the number of deer within city limits. With the reduction in the deer population, there would be fewer interactions between the deer and the citizens of Fargo. With fewer interactions, there would be fewer chances of property damage or car collisions. This would save the citizens of Fargo money from not having to repair their property or vehicles by damage from deer.