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HIGHLAND — Bowhunting is a sport usually seen only at indoor ranges or in designated hunting areas. But Highland City is proposing bows and arrows be used in city limits.
The plan is drawing support from the Department of Wildlife Resources as an option to curb the growing urban deer population.
The two year pilot project comes with strict guidelines. Much like applying for a regular hunting license, bowhunters must receive proper paperwork and only hunt in designated areas and either use the meat themselves or donate it to charity.
For the past decade, Highland has seen a spike in deer moving into urban areas. Once just a nuisance to homeowners, officials now call it a unsafe.
"Some places deer are just incompatible. We've got public safety issues on the highways and actual property damage," said Bill Bates from the Division of Wildlife Resources. "It's something that can't be ignored."
Highland and Bountiful are two cities that have reached out to the DWR for help, but Highland is farther along in the approval process.
"I think it's a good idea," Bates said. "We're going to do this in a controlled way to see if, number one, can this be done? Can it be done safely?"
The Highland City council came up with the idea to bring in bow hunters.
"Bow and arrow we just felt was the safest and most appropriate way to go forward," said Tim Irwin from the Highland City Council.
The DWR is welcoming the help.
"If we were going to go into every city and remove deer, we obviously don't have enough manpower or resources to do that," Bates said. "We're looking for a way to do it cost effectively and efficiently. This is a good way to see if it will work."
Hunters used to traveling to a bow hunt are excited about the prospect of shooting so close to home.
"I think it's awesome," said bow hunter Adam Black. "A great opportunity for the hunters."
Bowhunter Chad Peacock said it's a good way to manager the deer population.
"I think it's a great thing because I'm sure they have problems with deer getting out into traffic," Peacock said.
But not everyone likes the idea.
"I think it sounds highly dangerous. We've got a lot of little kids out in this area," said Highland resident Judy Fluckiger. "I don't want anyone out shooting bows."
That is something city officials say they will watch closely and take into consideration.
"Over the two years we will see how it goes, how the residents feel about it and the future of it," Irwin said.
The city is asking for public comment on the issue on July 30 but final approval still lies with the DWR. If it's approved, Highland will be open to bowhunting in about a month.
