Hillsdale hunters can kill deer within city limits this fall if they obtain private property hunting permits as part of the Hillsdale City Bow Hunting Program.

City Manager David Mackie said the program is good for the city.

“While the exact number of deer is unknown we can say the numbers in the city are fairly substantial,” he said. “Besides having an impact on residents’ gardens and flower beds, it creates health and safety hazards for those traveling in vehicles or on motorcycles.”

Mackie said city officials hope the program will cut the city’s deer population by at least 20 to 30 deer.

Locals can visit the Hillsdale City Police Administration Office at City Hall to pick up an application, according to the City of Hillsdale’s Facebook page. Applications must be turned in by 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18. 

Hillsdale Chief of Police Scott Hephner said the program, which began in 2010, follows all of Michigan’s hunting laws and regulations.

“This hunt extends the State of Michigan Archery Deer season into the city with council approval,” he said. “We require applications to hunt within the city and background checks are completed. Approved hunters are required to purchase their hunting license from the state and must follow all state requirements.”

The city has put measures in place to make sure the program is safe, said Sgt. Steven Pratt of the Hillsdale City Police in a statement.

“Applicants may be disqualified for criminal convictions including, but not limited to: assaultive crimes, conservation law violations, and felony convictions,” Pratt said.

Registered hunters hunt on assigned private property and, if it is not their own property, must obtain the permission of the property owner to hunt. 

“We generally receive around 30 applications a year and also have requests from property owners to have hunters hunt their property,” Hephner said.

Hunters must also provide information to the city about the deer they harvest.

Hephner said it is important to distinguish this program from a cull. 

“A cull is controlled by the state and is designed to take a specific number of deer from a defined area. This is usually conducted outside of the normal hunting season and all deer presented are to be harvested,” he said.

Senior Sabrina Sherman said she is happy to hear that the city is trying to reduce the deer population because of the safety and nuisance problems they cause within the city.

“It is a huge safety hazard and their overpopulation is detrimental to the community,” she said. “They also destroy gardens, flowers, and general property.”