The city of Barling has amended an ordinance allowing additional areas of Chaffee Crossing to be included in urban deer hunting. The change to the ordinance, taking effect this week, is leaving some residents against the idea.
“I don’t think that people should be hunting deer necessary in the area,” said Mitchell Carmack, who lives nearby. “I’m sure that our area is heavily populated with deer, and I just don’t feel like people should be shooting bows.”
Although some are against the ordinance, Ralph Meeker with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said the organization has registered about 100 urban hunters for the Chaffee Crossing hunt under specific guidelines.
“You cannot hunt within 50 yards of a trail, within so many feet of an occupied residence,” said Meeker, private lands biologist for the agency. “You have to have taken the orientation proficiency exam as well as belong to the Arkansas Bow Hunters Association.”
About 34 deer have been harvested on Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority property, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Officials said that has reduced the urban deer population.
“I’m fine with it,” said Seth Riter. “It’s better it’s killed off road than someone running into their car with it.”
As Barling divides on the ordinance, Meeker said Game and Fish is aiming to conduct the hunt without anyone even knowing it’s going on.
Meeker said statewide 230 deer have been harvested through urban hunting.
The urban bow hunting season began in September and ends Jan. 31.
