WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-State Considers Suburban Deer Hunting

State Considers Suburban Deer Hunting

Burlington, Vermont - July 22, 2009

Suburban farmer Rob Rock is an easygoing, people-loving kind of guy.

"Not a hater," he laughed.

But note the emphasis on people. Rock draws the line when it comes to deer.

"If you think of rodents, deer are kind of giant rodents to me," he said.

Rock and his business partner Eric Seitz own the Pitchfork Farm in Burlington's Intervale. Deer are a big nuisance there. Rock says the animals have made the six-acre farm their personal buffet-- dropping by several times a week.

"It's a terrible feeling, especially if they eat $500 worth of lettuce in an evening," Rock said.

The Vt. Fish & Wildlife Dept. may step in to help. The state wants to reduce the size of the deer population in Vermont's most populated areas and is considering implementation of a special archery season in site-specific areas where deer have become a nuisance. Participating hunters would have to first receive special certification.

"Safety would be a prime concern and that's why I think an archery hunt is a very safe way to hunt that hunters and homeowners could be in close proximity without any real risk to anyone," said John Buck of the Vt. Fish & Wildlife Dept.

The spread of Lyme disease is also motivation for the change. Deer are carriers of the tick-borne illness.

And Buck says the change would also entice more people to hunt. License sales have long been on the decline in Vermont-- aside from a small spike in the past several years-- and he argues the change would make the sport more accessible.

"It requires a lot more landowner permission, a lot more planning and organization on the hunter's part to make sure it can happen, but it certainly can happen," Buck said.

"They seem to be in the city more than in the country," said Jay Caron of Caron's East End Auto.

Autobody shops say the change could also cut down on accidents. Caron's in South Burlington has seen an increase in car versus deer collisions this summer-- as many as five to six a month.

Insurance adjusters say if the deer are big they can do a lot of damage.

Plans for suburban hunts in other states have been met with criticism, primarily due to safety concerns. And only a handful of states have actually implemented the hunts. Wildlife officials here hope to hear from hunters before making any decisions.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News