Sharpshooters approved for urban deer

OSHKOSH - After a longstanding battle against some unwelcome guests, the city of Oshkosh approved a plan to clear deer living in the city Tuesday night. 

"They've counted up to 40 at a time so there's questions, is there one herd?  Or is there multiple herds?" mayor Frank Tower said.

After more than an hour of debate the council voted to make an exception to a city ordinance banning the discharge of firearms in city limits.  Sharpshooters from Urban Wildlife Specialists will now be allowed to reduce the deer herd on National Guard property.

"We didn't take this lightly," Tower said.  "It's something that I wish we had not come to, but this is where we're at when we see accidents and property damage.

But, residents like Amy Haberkorn feels the council should look more closely at other, more humane options.

"It was all kept quiet.  We need to be aware, we need to have a voice in the matter," she said.  "The city shouldn't be able to do whatever it wants."

"Some of the kids in the neighborhood have them all named, isn't this a learning experience?" another resident questioned.

However, Tower says the council has exhausted every option, using a feeding ban and education program as well as considering relocation, an option the DNR does not allow.  That leaves sharpshooters, a choice council members feel won't solve the problem permanently, but moves them in the right direction.