Dec. 6, 2017 – The Deer Management Committee met for the first time Tuesday night at City Hall in West Bend to outline some of the parameters in its Urban Deer Management Plan.
Members of the committee included Dist. 1 alderman John Butschlick, Paul Schleif, Chris Dymale, Larry Polenski, Joanne Kline, Duane Farrand, Michael Jentsch and Dist. 2 alderman Steve Hutchins.
In November the West Bend Common Council approved a resolution to allow hunting in two city parks under strict rules that must still be approved by Council. The hunting measure is designed to help manage the deer herd in the city.
The resolution detailed several suggestions and the Deer Management Committee addressed a 14-page packet of guidelines.
The committee members addressed:
-Only adult bow hunters who pass a proficiency test would be allowed to hunt during a four day time span in January 2018.
-The only parks where this will be allowed as a test is Lac Lawrann Conservancy and Ridge Run Park.
-The parks will be closed during the four-day hunt, January 10-14, 2018.
-Written exam and proficiency test/shooting test as established by the committee
-Hunters will only get one shot at a proficiency test
-Individual must score 100% on Bowhunter Exam
– Fees will be set yearly with City Council
Some of the issues the committee addressed several times was the safety will be a top priority, this will be a lottery system and six people will receive permits. The participants must stay in their assigned zones.
The guidelines drafted by the Deer Management Committee must still be approved by the Common Council. That review will most likely occur at the Dec. 18 meeting.
