Eastern Oregon city considers lethal means to control deer

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The city council in Union, Oregon, has discussed using lethal means to reduce the community’s deer population.

The La Grande Observer reports that citizens have been complaining about deer injuring pets and causing property damage.

Public works director Rod McKee says a proposed plan to call in a government hunter also seeks stronger enforcement of a city ordinance that prohibits people from feeding deer.

If the plan goes forward, McKee says the animals would be taken in the late fall and winter. He says the aim is to eliminate a portion of the city’s deer population, not all of it.