Governor Walker recently signed a bill allowing bow-and-arrow hunters to look for deer within municipalities. Two city administrators in the region don't think the law will change much in their communities.
Several state communities had bow hunts to trim the nuisance deer herd within city limits. In changing laws concerning crossbows, the local municipal codes were set aside by the law, leaving local communities only the option to set how far hunters had to stay away from buildings.
In Eagle River, administrator Joe Laux says they've had a hunt in the past, so this change won't affect much...
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"....and the police chief issues special permits on city property which is probably the bulks of city property that is actually where it would allow you to hunt and we already allow those areas..."
In Antigo, Administrator Mark Desotell says the new rules also shouldn't be a problem...
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"....I don't expect a whole lot of change. We'll take a look at our local ordinances and see how they need to be adjusted. I'm sure discussion on this will eventually come up through committee and we'll eventually go through council with appropriate ordinance changes...."
Rhinelander allowed 200 feet, but might have to change that to conform to the new state law.
The bow hunting season runs through January 5.
