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City discusses reducing deer numbers

By
Alexis Barker, NLJ News Editor

The Newcastle City Council will meet with Wyoming Game and Fish Department wildlife biologist Joe Sandrini on April 4 at 6 p.m. to discuss the city’s options for reducing the number of deer living in city limits. The city would work to reduce the population under Chapter 56, a Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulation for the lethal taking of wildlife, according to councilman Tyrel Owens. At the March 7 council meeting, Owens said that during his nine years as a city employee, he addressed deer-related issues in Newcastle, including the removal of dead deer from yards and roadways. 
“Seeing the condition of the deer that live in town. I think it is appropriate to move forward with the Chapter 56 process,” Owens said, noting that Sandrini will explain the process in detail during the presentation on April 4. 
Owens also said that there has been reported damage caused by deer and other issues related to deer and pets in town that sparked his interest in addressing the deer population. According to Mayor Pam Gualtieri, there were 41 calls in a year’s time relating to services needed regarding deer in city limits. 
Once the deer are taken care of, Owens said, the city would have the ability to process the deer, following appropriate testing for chronic wasting disease. The meat could then be donated to people in need.
“One way to circumvent (the city paying processing fees) is to give the entire carcass to
the needy, and they are allowed to cut it up themselves,” Owens said. 
While Owens didn’t have all the details on Chapter 56, he did say that one prerequisite is a city ordinance outlawing the feeding of wildlife in city limits, something the city already has in place. 
“Since we already have that in place, we are one step closer. If everyone agrees and we decide to move forward, it will be a smoother transition,” he said. 
Owens said that his research showed that Chapter 56 works in other Wyoming communities. He specifically mentioned Meeteetse, where he said that in the first round of implementation, 40 deer were taken and that now five or six tags are used to maintain the population. 
“There will always be deer in town but it is probably a positive thing if it is a healthier bunch,” Owens said. He noted that all the people he has talked to so far are in favor of the city pursuing a Chapter 56 solution. 
“It has made a positive perception; they were doing so much damage in Sundance,” added the city’s attorney, Mark Hughes. 

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