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.
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I agree that Fargo should have a archery season. However, i do not know if it will solve all the problems with property damage and collisions. I agree that it will help reduce damage both to the property and the chances of car collisions. But if the Fargo area has a hard winter like it did in 1997 when there is a lot of snow, when the food is scarce deer will come into town no matter what to find something to eat. That and humans are constantly taking over more and more habitat, so deer run out of places to find food during the winter. In the long run it may save some people money, but mother nature will always have a say in the deer behavior, along with how much available habitat to them.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have an opinion on the issue. I wouldn't really have a problem if they allowed bow hunting on city limits. I am sure that the areas where bow hunting would be allowed would be in areas where there aren't many people around. Bows are much less dangerous than guns. I don't think anyone would be injured from it.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the people supporting bow hunting in Fargo would try to put positive public relations out there. They would try to ease people’s fears about hunting in Fargo. They would let people know about the safety regulations involved. All in all, I don’t think anyone should have anything to worry about bow hunting in Fargo.
I believe that more cities should use this archery season to help keep deer out of people's gardens and off of golf courses. Me being a hunter would always be in favor of this kind of season. One thing people have to keep in mind though, is how is the non-hunting public is looking at this. Even though they don't hunt, many of them would like to know the facts of the hunting taking place. The PR person for the ND Game and Fish is gonna have to be on his toes to report all the positive effects of this season so the non-hunting public will see that it is helping the city out. I also believe that the rules will have to be enforced a lot stronger than normal and that there would have to be a zero tolerance policy for bad behavior to keep the non-hunting public from being the anti-hunting public.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is good management goal for reducing cities deer populations. I also here allot of bow hunters talking about the benefits of the season. Bow hunters have found that they have time now to actually hunt because it’s close, and cost less. I think it would be a challenge non like out in the country and it would be fun to try this sometime.
ReplyDeleteI am from West Fargo, ND and there has been an increased number of deer in Fargo, ND. I can see where people think it is dangerous to have people bow hunting in Fargo, but I believe that if the hunters are safe and smart there should be no problems. I agree, that by having bow hunting allowed in city limits would be more of an advantage to saving people from getting injured from deer colliding into cars or even running into people’s homes because they freak out when they get in town.
ReplyDeleteI am on the fence about this issue. I can see how having a lot of deer inside city populations is not a good thing but when Fargo is expanding at the rate it is...we are moving into the deer's territory. Where else are they supposed to go? I can't say this with out sounding hypocritcal but the thought of killing a poor deer breaks my heart :( buuuuut on the other hand I love having that deer jerkey around! I think overall having the open bow hunting season is a good thing for everbody...well minus the dead deers!
ReplyDeleteThis has been an issue in other places as well. There is at least one state park in North Dakota that offer archery deer seasons because of the deer over population. Also the International Peace Gardens have also had herd reduction hunts in the past that was for a certain number of rifles hunters that had a doe tag in that unit to harvest a doe. Over population is never a good thing especially for deer because they usually have smaller body sizes and then when you get a harsh winter a lot of the smaller ones will not make it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this issue very strongly. Many local and city communities have had a lot of trouble with deer. It could be be just from a car accident to the deer seeing its reflection in the mirror and breaking through the glass and who knows what other kinds of damage it would cause. The sky rocketing abundance of deer being around the large cities is not a big suprise. A lot of deer have a learned behavior called habituation that allows them to know where they might be in danger and where they are safe. Well if a deer is within city limits, then it can be considered safe, but outside those city limits, it would be considered in danger and most likely shot if it came across a hunters path.
ReplyDeleteFirst thought here, how many incidents have there been with deer that happen within city limits? I have never heard of any myself. But with saying that. I used to live in Washburn, which is built on a side of a hill and rests on the Missouri River. We also have lots of coulees and open areas throughout my town and I have seen some deer and turkeys actually too. So i think that a achery season inside city limits would make sense, but there would have to be stricter policies.
ReplyDeleteAlso, gutting a deer in public? Aaahhmmm... yeah, thats kinda gross.
I believe their should be an archery seaons open in the city of fargo to control the deer populatoins. This also goes along with Ryba's Elk situation in the park. Many Game and Fish repersentatives will work with the public and city officials to figure out away to make it both safe for citizens and beneficial for the city as whole.
ReplyDeleteI feel that archery within city limits is a good idea. I came from a town with the population of 2,000, in Manitoba, Canada. At any certain point one could argue that there are more deer than people. It is a huge tourist attraction, however, during the summer it is impossible to plant any kind of vegetation without a massive wall surrounding it. Deer are a good tourist attraction, just, if left unchecked can cause many problems. I feel that allowing archery within city limits puts a check on the deer population, as there are no predators within the city to do so. I feel this is a good idea.
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