Havre urban deer hunt about to start

Staff and wire report

Havre's city government has released updated information on the urban deer hunting set as part of its urban deer management plan approved by the state, with the urban hunting season starting Thursday this week, Dec. 15, and running through Feb. 15.

The hunting areas have been approved and are online at the city website, https://www.ci.havre.mt.us .

The plan was developed by the city and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks after several years of discussion on how to deal with the growing population of deer living inside the city.

Havre held numerous public meetings and discussions in City Council meetings before approving sending the management plan to the state for its approval.

Some Havre residents said they opposed hunting and trapping the animals, but, overwhelmingly, most people said they were in favor.

The plan includes allowing certain wide-open areas of the city to open to bow hunting of the deer, and to use trapping with euthanasia throughout the rest of the city to cull the population, as well as providing more education about why feeding deer is not only illegal, but bad for both the deer and humans.

The release issued today said the urban deer hunt is an archery-hunting opportunity for antlerless mule deer within designated authorized areas within the city limits and surrounding area.

The purpose of the program is to provide for a healthy, wild deer population for the people of Havre and to reduce the negative impacts to people and property caused by the deer that are in and near Havre, the release said.

The specific designated areas identified by the city have large, open space that is safe for archery hunting and have a greater likelihood of a successful harvest, the release said.

Only archery equipment that is defined by FWP hunting regulations is allowed, which includes both compound and traditional bows. Crossbows are not allowed and a bow stamp is not required for this hunt.

Up to two antlerless mule deer licenses can be purchased through FWP, online or at any license provider. These license will be available today. Any unused 2022 600-01 and 690-00 antlerless mule deer licenses may also be used.

People interested in participating in the program must first obtain written daily permission at the Havre Police Department and receive a copy of the maps and program rules. Additional permission is required from the individual landowners approved for participation in the hunt. The property owners' contact information is included on the hunting maps. For more information, people can refer to the maps and regulations online at https://www.ci.havre.mt.us .

Harvested deer must be field dressed outside of the city limits and the edge of town. The viscera must be disposed of properly at the landfill or other suitable location. Hunters interested in getting their deer tested for chronic wasting disease need to contact FWP biologist Scott Hemmer at 406-808-7274.

Hunters harvesting any deer will need to notify the Havre Police Department at 406-265-4361 for monitoring the program's success.

The details of the rules for the City of Havre urban deer hunt, also available on the city website at https://www.ci.havre.mt.us, are:

General information

Antlerless mule deer only within designated authorized property areas of the city limits and surrounding area. Licenses can be purchased through Fish Wildlife and Parks, online or at any license provider.

Restricted season/equipment

Archery equipment only.

Permission requirement

Written permission required and can be obtained in person at the Havre Police Department. Permission must also be obtained from the individual landowners that are approved properties. Daily written permission is needed. Failure to gain permission will be considered hunting without landowner permission and a citation may be issued.

Program rules

1. Walk-in hunting only from designated parking areas, access trails, and public roads. No off-road travel permitted. No Motorized vehicles allowed. Hunters may receive permission to drive in only for retrieval of game by contacting 265-4941 or 265-4361.

2. Gates are to remain closed.

3. Upon harvesting any deer, the City must be notified for monitoring the success of the Program. Notification can be made by either calling 406-265-4361 or emailing [email protected].

4. Harvested deer must be field dressed outside of city limits and the edge of town. The viscera must be disposed of properly at a landfill or other suitable location.

5. Contact information of properties, maps of allowable areas to hunt, and the rules and requirements will be available upon receiving written permission.

6. Individuals must have the appropriate licenses to hunt.

7. All hunters must receive written permission.

8. Access to these properties is managed under the City of Havre and the Deer Management Action Plan. Failure to abide by these rules may result in eviction from the property and or a citation maybe issued.

9. Hunting will be conducted in accordance with the 2022 Montana Deer Hunting Regulations.

10. Hunters may use an unused 2022 690-01 or 600-01 antlerless mule deer license or may purchase an antlerless Havre Urban Deer Hunt License (601-00).

11. People who would like their deer tested for chronic wasting disease can contact FWP Biologist Scott Hemmer at 406-808-7274.