City weighs options on controlling deer numbers
By Ashleigh Plemper
Farmer Staff Writer
Prior to 2012, seeing a deer in Watford City was a rare occurrence. Today, it’s hard to go from one place to the next without spotting 10 to 15 of them.
Without a doubt, the deer population has grown immensely and as the city limits and ETA expanded, it pushed them further into the heart of the city. And with a huge surplus of food, security and shelter, they’ve had no reason to leave.
Now, the community of Watford City has a love/hate relationship with the deer as many residents view them as assets to the community, while others consider them pests.
Last week the Watford City City Council held a special meeting to address the matter and weigh its options on how to reduce deer numbers.
“To hunt the deer and remove some of them out of city limits, that’s how we manage population throughout the state,” said Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish wildlife division chief.
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