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A resolution and an ordinance that would identify a deer nuisance zone near Spring Hill and allow trained and approved archers to hunt deer in the declared nuisance zone is awaiting city council approval.
The public had the opportunity during Monday night's city council meeting to ask questions, provide input and voice their support as well as concerns with the proposed deer-reduction efforts for Spring Hill.
"The meeting is an informational session to allow the city council to hear residents' opinions on the proposed deer reduction efforts," said Mayor Ernie Wiggins during the meeting.
The Warsaw Deer Task Force has identified a deer nuisance zone within the city limits, including the entire area around Spring Hill, Kosciusko Community Hospital and U.S. 30.
The task force is recommending the city council pass a resolution that will identify the nuisance zone near Spring Hill and pass an ordinance that would allow for trained and approved archers, under the direction of Wiggins and a nuisance management committee, to hunt in the declared nuisance zone, according to Deer Task Force Co-Chair Jeff Grose.
If the task force recommendations are approved by the city council, the task force will implement the proposal by training archery hunters in the county and then placing them in specific areas within the declared nuisance zone, Grose said.
"The task force believes lack of action will be a greater threat to the health and safety of residents as well as the deer population near Spring Hill," Grose said.
"The most practical, safe and cost-efficient reduction effort near Spring Hill is needed."
The task force will ask the city council to approve the recommendations at its Nov. 6 meeting.
The city council held a public forum during Monday's meeting for Spring Hill and Kosciusko residents and city council members to respond to a report and recommendations for deer reduction efforts that were presented during the meeting.
"I am opposed to the deer reduction proposal because I don't want people hunting in my yard and I am looking out for the safety of my children and my dog," said Spring Hill resident Randy Murphy.
Murphy said he does not find the deer in his neighborhood to be a problem.
On the other hand, Richard Berry, a Hodges Addition resident, said he found deer to be a problem in his neighborhood.
"My personal belief is that there is an overpopulation of deer and that is a problem," Berry said.
He said he has not been able to maintain a garden or grow flowers due to deer coming into his yard.
"I hope if the ordinance is approved the effort will help reduce the number of deer," Berry said.
Musaberk Goksel, Warsaw, who moved from Vermont a month ago and who works at the Kosciusko Community Hospital Cancer Center, said approving the proposed deer reduction efforts would take away from patients' pleasure of viewing the deer.
"It is striking to see patients watching the deer outside their windows as they receive chemotherapy as opposed to watching television," Goksel said.
"I am saddened and disappointed to hear deer are viewed as a nuisance."
Madeline Marquardt, Warsaw, said she was in support of the proposed deer reduction efforts.
"I am in favor of the efforts because I do not believe the deer overpopulation in the city limits is acceptable," Marquardt said.
"The task force has conducted research and it is time to move forward with approving the proposed ordinance."
City council members also voiced their opinions about the proposed deer reduction efforts.
City Council member Jerry Patterson supported the proposal.
"If we do nothing the deer population will only get worse," Patterson said.
Council Member and Deer Task Force member Joe Thallemer also supported the proposal.
"Deer come into our community because they know they are safe and that has contributed to the overpopulation," Thallemer said.
"Spring Hill is an isolated area and a venue for a solution that will benefit neighbors and help reduce the deer population to a healthy level."
City Council member Charles Smith said he was opposed to deer reduction efforts.
"I have respect for the report and recommendations that were put together by the task force, but I am opposed to the proposal," Smith said.
He said he has friends who live in Spring Hill and there could be risks involved in deer reduction such as a human being mistaken for a deer.
Those who attended the meeting had the opportunity to sign petitions for those supporting and opposed to the deer reduction efforts.
The petitions were first distributed during a meeting Sept. 28 with Spring Hill residents.
The signed petitions will be given to city council members before the council's Nov. 6 meeting to provide them with guidance and information before being asked to approve the proposed deer reduction efforts.
Wiggins said the city council will revisit the ordinance and resolution at its meeting Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at city hall.
