Despite nearly a dozen citizens voicing disapproval, the Cody City Council passed an urban deer reduction plan to cull up to 50 doe deer within city limits over the next year.

The council passed the resolution Tuesday night on a 5-2 vote.

Councilman Donny Anderson said he received calls from constituents concerned about deer in the city. Deer have killed five of his trees, and he’s discovered three dead deer in his yard.

“None of the people that have shown up tonight have called me,” Anderson said. “I think I’d like to try this out for a year to see if it makes any difference.”

The resolution specifies that Cody police would shoot deer with a .223 caliber rifle under a permit from issued by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Cull challengers & backers

A recent Cody survey found 60 percent of respondents favored culling deer, but Cody resident Frank Bowman wasn’t one of them.

“I’m very much opposed to killing deer,” Bowman said.

He questioned the accuracy of a poll with only 1,760 respondents out of 9,700 citizens. “We need to get a better survey or even put it on a ballot,” he said.

How much should the city invest in surveys, asked Councilman Landon Greer. “Despite the survey, my thought is, it’s going to be 50-50,” he said.

“It is our duty not to discount the other people that have other positions,” Mayor Nancy Tia Brown told the audience. “Their voice is as important, or should be as important, as yours.”

Brenda Baxter handed the council a document with 302 signatures opposing culling; Councilman Jerry Fritz said 10 respondents were from Cody and 87 from the U.S.

Tourists photograph deer in yards regularly, Bowman said. “What are we going to say — ‘We killed them because they’re eating our flowers?’”

“I’m done with surveys,” said Councilwoman Karen Ballinger. “The tourists are coming regardless.”

People will complain if the survey doesn’t reflect what they want, said Fritz. “We get nailed no matter what.”

JC Mackey said he feared a .223 caliber bullet could pass through a deer or an errant round could ricochet to hit a child. “I’m opposed to shooting any deer in town. If you don’t like animals in town, my suggestion is to move to Powell, move to Denver.”

A five-year-old city ordinance bars citizens from feeding deer. Baiting would be used to lure deer to sites safe for shooting.

“You’re violating your ordinance of feeding deer,” Mackey said; Brown said the permit allows baiting.

Cody Police Sgt. Trapp Heydenberk said one officer would ensure it was safe before another officer fired at preselected kill sites.

Cody police are plenty busy without having to pursue deer, said Greer. He and Councilman Stan Wolz voted against the plan. It’s not the city’s responsibility, Greer said, adding, “It’s a cost issue with me.”

The initial expense would be roughly $6,000, said Cody Police Chief Chuck Baker. Barry Cook, city administrator, said the city has the funding.

George “Mick” Barrus, Urban Deer Committee member, said the committee endeavored to create a program that’s acceptable to all citizens. “I believe we’re addressing exactly what this community wants.”

Deer are much more aggressive than they were five years ago when the committee formed, Anderson said. Deer are now learning to eat everything in yards, and what they don’t consume, they crush under their hooves, he said.

Councilwoman Karen Ballinger witnessed deer kicking a dachshund with a child nearby. “That little puppy got stomped by the deer,” she said.

The deer have no fear of humans, said Councilman Steve Miller. His concern is the deer could attract predators, such as mountain lions, into town. “Wildlife has to be managed,” he said.

The Game and Fish permit expires Dec. 31, but Baker said renewing it for 2017 would be seamless. Police would hunt the deer in January and February.

Baker said his officers need additional training for taking samples for chronic wasting disease. “My guess is we wouldn’t take deer until the first of the year,” he said.

Brown said culling deer is a very emotional issue. She said she was supporting the resolution based on what she believes is best for citizens and the deer.

“This has been a very difficult thing for me,” Brown said, adding, “I love deer, but I love healthy deer.”

Cody’s urban population is not as healthy as rural deer capable of locating more nutritious forage, said Alan Osterland, Cody Game and Fish wildlife supervisor.

The goal is not to wipe out Cody’s deer, Osterland said. “No one wants to see them eradicated, certainly not the Game and Fish.”

Brown said that also goes for the council and city residents.

Fritz said he favored culling to reduce the number of deer hit by cars. A slow death by automobile is a terrible way to go, he said. “It’s not very pretty.”

After the motion for the deer reduction program passed, Brown said the city can re-evaluate the program next year.

“It’s just one year,” she said. “We’ll give it a try.”