Jan. 3, 2018 – West Bend, WI – The Deer Management Committee voted Wednesday night to cull the deer population in West Bend at just one park this year instead of two during its pilot program.
The decision was made after only five hunters managed perfect scores during the testing process. The city had hoped to recruit nine hunters for the effort and those would then be split into two groups.
Initially the hunt was going to happen at Ridge Run Park and Lac Lawrann Conservancy. After some discussion a vote was taken to only allow bow hunters during a 5-day period at Lac Lawrann.
The park will be closed to the public Jan. 10 – 14. Bow hunters will be able to keep only one deer; the others will be donated to the local food pantries and processing will be covered by the DNR.
Hunters Jeff Bach and Brad Zuba said they had been scouting the area and determined there are plenty of deer at Lac Lawrann Conservancy off Schmidt Road.
There were some other points of discussing during the meeting:
-Committee member Duane Ferrand made clear, “This being our pilot hunt our purpose is to manage the deer population.”
Should open the park hunt to more than city residents. There would be a better turnout?
Good idea Chuck. Just FYI – all hunters have to pass two tests. During the holiday/end of the year there were nine who took the test and five who passed. A perfect score on both tests is required. We’ll see how the city and the Deer Management Committee move forward. A follow-up meeting is Jan. 23.