Archers interested in participating in this year's deer-reduction efforts participated in training Saturday to qualify for efforts in the Warsaw city limits.
The 45 archers were required to complete a proficiency test where they shot their bow and arrows at targets at Warsaw Police Department. They had to make three of the five shots in a 20-yard shot.Archers also were required to attend a training session on bow hunting safety given by Jon Cook, Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officer.
Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter said he received 69 applications, and 45 of the archers attended Saturday's training.
A management committee consisting of Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Hunter, City Councilman Jeff Grose, Steve Foster and Matt Dick will select the archers for this year's reduction effort.
Hunter said the management committee will notify archers who have been selected by phone within the next two weeks after background checks are completed.
Bow hunting season is Oct. 1-Jan. 6.
Warsaw City Council, at its Aug. 18 meeting, approved again allowing trained archers to hunt in nuisance zones that have been declared by the Deer Task Force.
The zones include the entire area around Spring Hill, Oakwood Cemetery, Kosciusko Community Hospital and U.S. 30.
This will be the third year for the hunt.
The city council first approved an ordinance and resolution in November 2006 for a deer-reduction effort and declared nuisance zones. There were 18 deer harvested during the first year's three-week hunt from Dec. 18, 2005, through Jan. 8, 2006. There were 39 deer harvested during last year's efforts that went from Oct. 1 through Jan. 6.
The task force also has discussed possibly expanding the nuisance zones to include the north side of the Warsaw Street Department, 794 W. Center St., northeast of Rozella Golf Course and the west side of Country Club Road.
Grose said he was pleased with Saturday's efforts. He said the task force will meet in a few weeks to discuss expanding nuisance zones after homeowners' input is received.
Larry Unruh, 62, Winona Lake, who has been a hunter for 17 years, said Saturday was his first time for seeking to be a part of the reduction efforts.
"This will be a great opportunity to hunt and prevent negative interactions between vehicles and deer," Unruh said.
Harry Schmucker, 30, Etna Green, has participated in the previous two deer-reduction efforts and has been a hunter for 16 years.
"I feel it is important to help out the community and harvest deer that damage shrubs," Schmucker said.
