Cincinnati again allows deer bow hunting in parks

Cincinnati again allows deer bow hunting in parks

CINCINNATI (AP) — One of Ohio’s largest cities is again allowing bow hunting of deer in certain parts of its park system this fall to address overpopulation.

That means access to some of Cincinnati’s parks is restricted for safety reasons while bow hunting season is under way.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the deer population in some parts of the parks is 10 times as large as officials say it should be for a given area. Authorities say the overpopulation damages the wildflowers and forests and can threaten resident safety by creating a greater risk of traffic crashes involving deer.

The park system’s land manager, Jim Godby, says it took decades for the deer population to grow so large, and it may take decades to scale it back.