Bridgeport’s urban deer hunt ordinance is one step closer to officially being changed. On Monday, Bridgeport City Council approved the amended ordinance that Police Chief John Walker hopes will boost the number of deer that are being killed in the city limits.

 

The main part of the amendment involves hunters having to meet requirements. Under the new amendment to the ordinance that was approved on first reading, hunters would have to kill seven deer before using their state license to kill a buck.

 

Walker, who works with Deputy Chief Randy Hartley on this program that has been in place five years, is looking to boost numbers that have dropped off in the last several years. In 2014, Walker said there were just 52 deer that were harvested despite the city issuing 118 permits to do the urban hunting on approved parcels of land in the city limits.

 

How does that compare to the last two years? Walker said that in 2013 there were 89 deer harvested and in 2012 there were 107 deer turned in through the program. The 107 number was the largest in the program’s early history.

 

Walker said he’s not sure exactly why the numbers are dropping. However, he said based on the number of permits and the numbers harvested there might be one reason.

 

“We believe we have individuals that are out (during the urban hunt) stalking that trophy buck,” said Walker. “We’re making it so they have to get five doe as part of the seven (maximum before using their state license.)”

 

Under the city’s urban hunt ordinance, hunters can kill two doe then a buck. Then, they have to kill three more doe before getting their second buck. After that, if the amended ordinance is approved, they can utilize the state license.

 

Council member Diana Marra wasn’t opposed to the amendment. However, she did have concerns.

 

“I’m afraid that by requiring this that it would be a discouragement for hunters,” said Marra.

 

Walker said he’s willing to see if the ordinance amendments will work. He said there’s not much to lose.

 

“(The hunters) aren’t shooting anything now,” said Walker.

 

Walker also said the amendment would eliminate Halloween – or any day designated by Council for trick or treat – would also be eliminated from days allowed to hunt. Sunday hunting will also still be forbidden.

 

Council member John Wilson discussed ways to add more property owners to the allowed hunting areas – which still require property owner approval for individual hunters. Walker said that they are looking at ways to get more property owners involved and said individual property owners that are under the two-acre requirement can join up with additional property owners to make their land available.

 

While the urban hunt in Bridgeport, which takes place two weeks prior to the regular bow-hunting season, is bow-only in its format, Walker said crossbows won’t be allowed.

 

“We’re concerned with that because we believe the velocity and distance is greater than a regular bow,” said Walker.

 

Also, the existing ordinance calls for checking in harvested deer at Ace Hardware, which is no longer in business. The new ordinance allows hunters to check in their kills online.

 

“We’d still like those that have kills to bring their deer to the police station so that we can keep track of the numbers,” said Walker. “We can get those numbers eventually from the state, but it’s not until much later. We like to keep a running total.”

 

The revised ordinance will be up for a second reading and final vote at the next Bridgeport City Council meeting. That session is scheduled for July 13 at 7 p.m.  

 

Editor's Note: Deer frequently find their way into Bridgeport's residential section, as shown above near Compton Park. Chief John Walker briefs Council on the matter during Monday's meeting.