DNR Plans Deer Hunt In County, City Reduction Efforts Continue
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
DNR Plans Deer Hunt In County, City Reduction Efforts Continue
By Jennifer [email protected]
There is a deer overpopulation problem in Kosciusko County.
Mitch Hess, assistant property manager for Tri-County Fish and Wildlife for the Department of Natural Resources, Syracuse, confirmed DNR is planning a management deer hunt at Big Chapman and Little Chapman Lake Nature Preserves and Wildlife Diversity Area.
The DNR's deer reduction efforts are separate from Warsaw's reduction efforts in the city limits.
Hess said deer numbers are excessively high at both locations, and overbrowsing by deer threatens the long-term health of the properties.
The DNR's hunts will be Nov. 1 to 28 and Dec. 4 to Jan. 2.
"The properties are not being opened to hunting in general, but hunting will be for deer only and limited to archery equipment," Hess said.
Participating hunters will be given permits to hunt on the 298 acres of DNR property at any one time.
The goal is to select 40 archers, and there will be 10 hunters per two-week period during the four-week hunt.
Hess will accept applications for archers interested in participating in the deer reduction efforts until Oct. 13, and applicants will be selected Oct. 15.
Hess said since DNR announced the hunt Tuesday, he has received approximately 400 applications from archers in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
"It is encouraging and good to know people are interested in participating in the deer reduction effort, but these are small areas and that is why we need a limited number of archers to hunt in the areas," Hess said.
To qualify for the hunt, archers must have an archery tag to show proof they are legal to hunt.
To obtain an application to participate in the hunt, people can write to Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area, 8432 N. CR 850E, Syracuse, IN 46567 or call 574-834-4461.
While efforts are being planned at the nature preserves, Warsaw's deer reduction efforts began Sept. 20 and continue until Dec. 30.
Archers were required to complete a proficiency test and pass a background check before hunting in reduction zones.
Reduction zones include the wooded areas behind Kosciusko Community Hospital and the Springhill Addition area; Hire Park; Lakeview Island; the Boggs Industrial Park and former Madison School area.
There have been 17 deer killed by 25 archers as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Scott Whitaker, Warsaw Police Chief and deer management committee member.
There were 72 archers who qualified for the deer reduction efforts.
"The DNR's plans to have archers hunt in preserves in Kosciusko in addition to the city's efforts supports what the city has discovered in that there is a deer overpopulation problem in the county and the city," Whitaker said.[[In-content Ad]]
There is a deer overpopulation problem in Kosciusko County.
Mitch Hess, assistant property manager for Tri-County Fish and Wildlife for the Department of Natural Resources, Syracuse, confirmed DNR is planning a management deer hunt at Big Chapman and Little Chapman Lake Nature Preserves and Wildlife Diversity Area.
The DNR's deer reduction efforts are separate from Warsaw's reduction efforts in the city limits.
Hess said deer numbers are excessively high at both locations, and overbrowsing by deer threatens the long-term health of the properties.
The DNR's hunts will be Nov. 1 to 28 and Dec. 4 to Jan. 2.
"The properties are not being opened to hunting in general, but hunting will be for deer only and limited to archery equipment," Hess said.
Participating hunters will be given permits to hunt on the 298 acres of DNR property at any one time.
The goal is to select 40 archers, and there will be 10 hunters per two-week period during the four-week hunt.
Hess will accept applications for archers interested in participating in the deer reduction efforts until Oct. 13, and applicants will be selected Oct. 15.
Hess said since DNR announced the hunt Tuesday, he has received approximately 400 applications from archers in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
"It is encouraging and good to know people are interested in participating in the deer reduction effort, but these are small areas and that is why we need a limited number of archers to hunt in the areas," Hess said.
To qualify for the hunt, archers must have an archery tag to show proof they are legal to hunt.
To obtain an application to participate in the hunt, people can write to Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area, 8432 N. CR 850E, Syracuse, IN 46567 or call 574-834-4461.
While efforts are being planned at the nature preserves, Warsaw's deer reduction efforts began Sept. 20 and continue until Dec. 30.
Archers were required to complete a proficiency test and pass a background check before hunting in reduction zones.
Reduction zones include the wooded areas behind Kosciusko Community Hospital and the Springhill Addition area; Hire Park; Lakeview Island; the Boggs Industrial Park and former Madison School area.
There have been 17 deer killed by 25 archers as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Scott Whitaker, Warsaw Police Chief and deer management committee member.
There were 72 archers who qualified for the deer reduction efforts.
"The DNR's plans to have archers hunt in preserves in Kosciusko in addition to the city's efforts supports what the city has discovered in that there is a deer overpopulation problem in the county and the city," Whitaker said.[[In-content Ad]]
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