Council looks into culling urban deer population

City Councilor Richard Hildner believes the urban deer population in Whitefish has become a nuisance and that it’s time to look at possible solutions.

“We should look at culling deer within the city limits,” Hildner said at an April 18 work session.

Hildner has for several years brought up the idea during Council’s annual goal setting sessions, saying the number of deer in Whitefish has an impact on city parks. However, the idea hasn’t gotten any traction with other councilors.

That seemed to be the case again this year until one citizen during the regular meeting asked the city to address the situation.

Leo Keane, who lives on Pine Place, said deer in town have become a problem and he hates to see so many being killed by vehicles.

“I have what I consider to be an overpopulation of whitetail deer in my yard,” he said. “This time of year there are nine.”

Keane said there is plenty of habitat suitable for deer near his home and yet he claims it has become overgrazed.

“I would like you to consider eliminating a few deer so we have a sustainable population,” he said.

Although Councilor Jen Fransden said during the work session that the item didn’t belong on Council’s list of goals, she would be OK with an ordinance being brought forward for review.

“Let’s look at a deer culling or relocation program,” Frandsen said. “I would like to see us work toward something to bring before Council for review.”

Helena began culling its urban deer population in 2008 after developing an urban deer management plan, calling for a reduction in the mule deer population due to a high density. Police calls involving deer have dropped since the program began.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission sets the annual culling quota. The program involves baiting and trapping deer in netted enclosures and officers then dispatching them with a bolt gun. The meat is taken to the Helena food bank.

According to the Helena Independent Record, since the program began there has been a decline in incidents related to the city’s deer population.

Deer related calls peaked in 2008 at 363, while there were just 154 calls involving deer in 2014.

Another Council goal brought forward by Councilor Pam Barberis suggests an ordinance involving bottled water.

“I think we should ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles on city property,” she said. “It would mostly effect the Farmers Market at Depot Park, but we already have a water fountain there that has a bottle-fill station — other places we might need to add those stations.”

The idea, however, didn’t get enough support from Council to make the goal list, but was suggested to be considered as part of a future city climate action plan.

Frandsen said the city couldn’t consider such a ban until there is alternate ways to obtain water at events on city property.

“I think there’s still instances when people can’t get around [buying water bottles] as an option,” she said.

Hildner agreed saying the city would need to put bottle filling water fountains at its properties before considering the ban.

“I’m behind the sentiment to reduce plastic bottles,” he said. “But there’s an order in which you have to do that.”

City Attorney Angela Jacobs pointed to such an ordinance implemented in San Fransisco that included a 2-year phase in period before the out-right ban of single use water bottles there.

Topics that will remain on the council’s goal list, include, implementing the downtown master plan, Depot Park redevelopment, hiring a new City Manager, a re-write of the planned unit development regulations and the Wisconsin Avenue corridor study.

A host of items were crossed off of last year’s goal list after having been accomplished in the last 12 months. Those included: the Highway 93 West corridor plan, water quality improvements at City Beach, recycling improvements, and the Haskill Basin conservation easement.