City proceeds with plans to reduce deer numbers
By Ashleigh Plemper
Farmer Staff Writer
The Watford City Council during a special city council meeting on Monday, March 22, decided to move forward with a plan that would reduce the number of deer within the city limits.
That decision came following a March 7, public meeting to address the deer population in Watford City and a recommendation by the city Ordinance Committee to move forward with meeting the April 13 deadline to have a special herd reduction permit be part of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s fall hunting proclamation.
“We’re not trying to make it a secret. The resounding voice from the population is that we need to do something about the deer. So that’s our plan,” says Kenny Liebel, Watford City City Council president.
During the March 7 public meeting, a North Dakota Game and Fish Department representative said that the only effective way to reduce the deer numbers in the city limits was through a bow hunting season.
“I am in favor of a bow season,” said Liebel during last week’s special council meeting. “I am not in favor of continuing to manage the deer because it’s going to become more of a headache.”