Hunters killed 86 deer in Duke Forest this year, 11 more than last year.
The three-month hunt, which ended Friday, was meant to reduce herds Duke said were threatening research and the environment.
Next Duke plans a spotlight survey, where staff will count deer at night and extrapolate the population in the nearly 11 square mile forest. The state must approve the use of lights at night.
"One hundred sixty-one deer in two years has to have made some impact," said program director Marissa Hartzler. "What level of impact we're not sure yet."
Duke has woodland in Alamance, Orange and Durham counties. Most of the forest is in Orange County, Hartzler said.
This year's hunt, the second, comes as the Chapel Hill Town Council is being asked to consider bowhunting to control deer in neighborhoods. Town staff are preparing a report for the council's first meeting after its holiday break, Jan. 11.
Comments
Seven deer crossing Hillsborough St. at 7pm
Sun, 12/27/2009 - 15:51 — CitizenWillThere was a little herd of deer, seven in all, that stopped traffic just south of North St. on Hillsborough last night about 7pm. The deer are so relaxed that they sauntered across the road in the presence of both cars and pedestrians.
At least some ...
Tue, 12/22/2009 - 18:55 — mschultz (author)were given to charity. Duke was not able to put me in touch with the two hunting groups today.
what happened to the carcasses?
Tue, 12/22/2009 - 18:49 — marcoplosVenison? Hides?