Wake Forest lets arrows fly to control deer population

The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday night to allow bow hunting of deer. Proponents say it’s a practical measure to control the population of white-tail deer encroaching on developed areas, but others warn of dangers posed by “urban archery.”

Under the new ordinance, archers can hunt for deer on privately owned land at least 5 acres in size, and they must carry written permission from all property owners and provide such permissions to any law enforcement officer who requests to see them.

Arrows must be fired from at least 10 feet above the ground and toward the interior of the hunting parcel, and no arrows can be shot within 50 yards of a home or a road right-of-way or within 100 yards of any day care, school, church or town park.

Any bow hunter also must have all required state permits and abide by state hunting regulations.

Wake Forest must submit a written request to the state Wildlife Resources Commission by April 1 to participate in the 2014 urban archery season, which runs from mid-January to mid-February. Bow hunters also will be able to hunt deer in the town during the regular state archery season, scheduled to begin Sept. 7.