Decorah City Council tables deer hunting proposal

Following a long public hearing and discussion on Monday night, the Decorah City Council decided there were still questions remaining about a proposed archery hunt of deer within the city limits this fall--and voted 5-2 to table the proposal, asking the city's Safety Committee and the Decorah Park-Rec Board to try to reach an agreement on the project.

The Park Board last week voted unanimously against opening city park land to bow hunters.  Park Board member Shirley Vermace told city council members Monday night the board had concerns about public safety; needed more education on the issue; wanted more data on the local deer population; and wanted to consider a shorter hunting season.

"This is not a ready plan," Vermace told council members. 

Decorah resident Spencer Bolson--a deer hunter--agreed.  "The more I hear about this plan, the less I like it," Bolson told city council members.

Archery business owner Kurt Headington told city council members the deer hunt would not be a success if park land wasn't included.  That led city council member Andy Carlson to say that most people in Decorah want the deer hunt--but they want it to be done right.

City council member Gary Rustad, who made the motion to table the issue, added, "I don't want to just table this."  He's hoping that further discussion between the Park Board and the city's Public Safety Committee will lead to a plan that everyone can support.