FORT SMITH — Fort Smith city directors are considering an archery deer hunt in parts of the city to reduce the herd.
Fort Smith police said in a news release Wednesday that limited hunts are “practical and economical.”
The Times Record reported that Arkansas Game & Fish Commission deer program coordinator Ralph Meeker told directors Tuesday that the hunts could reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
He says Arkansas was ninth in the nation in deer-vehicle collisions with more than 20,000 in 2011-12.
Meeker said urban hunts have been held in various Arkansas cities since 1999 with no injuries.
Hunts would not be allowed within 50 yards of homes, public trails, golf courses, parks and paved roads. All shooting must be from a stand at least 10 feet above ground and no crossbows would be allowed.