Urban Deer Hunting a Possibility in Fort Smith

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have met with the City of Fort Smith about the possibility of an Urban Deer Hunt.

The City says that 'the deer's habitat is shrinking in size, thus creating more deer interaction with the general public and lesser areas to sustain the deer population, and that 'a practical and economical way to reduce the deer herd within urban areas and housing developments is by allowing limited hunting to occur within certain areas. There have been several successful archery urban deer hunts in different municipalities throughout the State of Arkansas.' Barling is the most recent.

The City of Fort Smith would like to reassure any concerned resident that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission guidelines will be followed for the safest urban deer hunt possible.

Ralph Meeker with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says 'there are between 750-800 hunters in 7 other cities in Arkansas, and that their have been no reported accidents since 1990 when the Commission started doing urban deer hunts.'

A study done by State Farm Insurance ranks Arkansas as the 9^th in the Nation for deer related vehicular accidents. The City says, 'urban deer hunts have been shown to reduce the likelihood of motor vehicle crashes involving deer.'

The hunt will be supervised and monitored by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in partnership with the Arkansas Bowhunters Association.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Protocols

Each hunter must:

• Pass the International Bowhunter Education Course
• Attend an urban deer hunt orientation
• Pass a shooting proficiency test
• Pay annual confirmation fee, which includes membership in the Arkansas BowHunters Association for liability insurance purposes
• Possess a valid Arkansas big game license
• Possess a valid Urban Bowhunting Permit issued by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Furthermore each hunter must:

• Hunt in designated areas, and if hunting on private property, hunters must possess written permission from the property owner
• Hunt at least 50 yards from any residence or house without written permission
• Hunt at least 50 yards from any designated public trails, golf course, parks, utility installations or paved roads
• Shoot from stands that are elevated at least 10 feet above the ground (no walking, stalking or ground blinds)
• Keep all bows cased to and from hunting stands
• The weapon type will be restricted to archery equipment, specifically only longbows, recurve bows or compound bows with at least a 40-pound pull and broadheads at least 7/8-inch wide

The City plans to vote on the matter at Tuesday night's board meeting.