HUNTING -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for landowners within one-half mile of the town of Republic to allow access so that Master Hunter Program permit holders can help reduce the deer population in the area.

To address the overpopulation of deer within the city limits of Republic, 25 special deer hunting permits for the area were issued to Master Hunters through an application drawing earlier this year.

The 1030 Deer Area hunt (defined as one-half mile around the city limits of Republic) has been underway since Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31.

“We currently have landowner access agreements for some of the permitted Master Hunters in the southwest and northwest parts of the 1030 Deer Area,” said Scott Bendixen, master hunt coordinator. "We appreciate that assistance. But we could use others throughout the area.”

Getting full cooperation may be difficult. Two men contracted a few years ago to trap and relocate the deer that are both loved and loathed in the Ferry County seat were praised and threatened as they tried to do their job.

They finally called it quits, but the problem of too many deer in and around the town continues.

Bendixen asks landowners to contact him at (509) 684-2362, ext. 25 to set up an agreement to allow Master Hunter access to their property during the season.