Mill Creek deer hunt lawsuit decision coming Friday
After six hours of testimony Thursday, magistrate Nicole Alexander will come to a decision Friday.
That decision will determine whether the Mill Creek Metroparks deer hunts will go on as planned. The controlled hunt is slated to begin this Sunday, a culling plan that involves archers being permitted to hunt until December 1 and firearm hunters from December through the end of January. A date for the other hunt, a targeted hunt which involves sharpshooters is still to be determined.
Residents behind a lawsuit to stop both hunts swore under oath, expressing safety concerns.
"I can't safely let my children out there because I'm scared that they might get hit by a run-by bullet or arrow.", said Katherine Hamilton, who lives in Boardman near Hitchcock Woods, part of the Metroparks.
Safety one of the two biggest concerns, the other---accuracy of the count.
"We have a lack of planning and that's what I believe causes the flawed data that caused this whole deer survey to say 385 deer per square mile.", Denny Malloy said. The Trumbull County Commissioner and former wildlife officer is participating in the controlled recreational hunt, but took issue with the targeted hunt, frowning upon the idea of baiting deer.
Local and state park officials also took the stand, including Natural Resources Manager Nick Derico, who was instrumental in coming up with the deer management plan. He says safety was the paramount focus when planning.
"The very fact that we have two programs proposed, the targeted removal and the controlled hunting is the first step toward safety.", adding that officials recognized hunting is not possible in all locations.
The company that provided the aerial infrared survey also testified, answering questions about the legitimacy of the data, and accuracy of the deer count. Owner Mike Holthouse doubled down on the results saying the conditions were the most ideal they had ever been for the thermal survey. He also said that it's the most deer he's ever recorded in a wildlife survey.
Opponents of the deer hunts say putting a pause on these hunts won't impact the end goal, while park officials argue that the best time is now and that they've gone above and beyond what's legally required to provide safe and effective plans.
