Should deer hunting be allowed on Luther College property?

Luther College's Anderson Prairie (Photo courtesy of Luther College)

As the City of Decorah continues to discuss allowing deer hunting on city property this fall, some at Luther College have begun to discuss whether allowing deer hunting on their property would help control the damage done by deer.

Luther College Natural Areas Land Manager and Assistant Professor of Biology Molly McNicoll says deer herds have been damaging Luther College's natural areas by eating plants on the properties.

However, Mc Nicoll told Monday's city meeting about a deer hunt that Luther College is likely to work on surveying the deer population this year, then deciding what steps to take next year.  Deer herds are a common sight on the Luther prairie and other college properties.