Opinion
State seeks input on managing deer population
By GARY FORBY
Illinois state senator
This past spring, the General Assembly established a Joint Task Force on Deer Population Control to examine and make recommendations on ways to manage Illinois' deer population.
Members of the task force include legislators, spokesmen from several statewide hunting organizations, conservation police officers, biologists and representatives from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
We have worked very hard over this past year to examine what can be done to maintain and increase deer-hunting opportunities, reduce deer-vehicle accidents, reduce crop and other property damage, and maintain and increase the health of the Illinois deer herd.
In order to communicate these proposals to the public, the task force, in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, will conduct a series of public meetings throughout the state to discuss and seek public comment on proposals for changes and improvements in deer management throughout Illinois.
The public meetings will present an opportunity for hunters, outfitters, farmers, and all who enjoy and are affected by hunting to gather and discuss task force recommendations. It is important to make sure we have their opinions before further measures are implemented.
Members of the task force and staff from the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife Resources will be available to answer questions, discuss deer management, and hear comments from those attending the meetings.
The South-Eastern Regional Hearing will take place in Olney on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Olney City Park Community Building, Route 130. Other hearings still to take place are in Rushville (today), Sparta (Sept. 10) and Bethany (Sept. 11).
For those unable to attend these open houses, public comments regarding the task force's recommendations will be accepted through a link on the department's Web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.
For more information regarding the public meetings of the Joint Deer Population Control Task Force, feel free to contact the department's Division of Wildlife Resources at (217) 785-2511.
• Gary Forby is an Illinois state senator in the 59th District, which includes part of Hamilton County.
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