Urban deer management plan approved by state

At a meeting of the Havre City Council Monday, Mayor Doug Kaercher said the city’s deer management plan, including bow hunting in parts of the city, has been approved by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the plan is to announce a special hunt Dec. 1 through Feb. 15.

Kaercher said a public service announcement will be going out through local media with further details and he asked that any property owners in the city interested in letting their land be used for bow hunting get in contact with the city.

The urban deer population in Havre has been becoming increasingly problematic in recent years and public meetings about the issue have drawn massive attention from locals wanting solutions to the problem.

Part of the city’s plan, recently approved by the state and viewable on the city’s website, allows certain wide-open, non-residential areas of the city to be used by bow hunters to cull the deer.

Kaercher said hunters interested will need to get a special license and come to city hall so they can be given all the details and regulations, but people with general questions can call his office any time.

He said Havre Police are also set up to take reports regarding deer or hunting activity.

During the meeting the council also approved a city budget amendment that will allow for the receipt of the $5,000 grant for Rural Fire District 1 to be allocated to training.