New Richmond bans deer feeding

If you’ve been putting out feed for the deer, the city wants you to stop.

The New Richmond City Council voted unanimously Monday night to prohibit the feeding of deer within the city limits.

The issue was first discussed last year when several residents complained that deer were hanging around the city because people were putting out feed. They said the rising deer population meant that trees and shrubs were being damaged as the deer looked for other food sources.

When the city first discussed deer issues, Mayor Fred Horne said the community was divided about what to do. Half of the telephone calls he received suggested the city shoot the deer. The other half of the phone calls suggested the city leave the deer alone.

As a compromise, Horne said the deer feeding ban emerged.

Horne said the ordinance does not prohibit people from feeding birds, but it does prohibit people from putting out feed specifically for deer. The ordinance states that no resident can put out “grain, fruit or vegetable material” for the purpose of feeding whitetail deer.

When asked who will be responsible for policing the feeding ban, officials were uncertain if it would be the animal control officer or the police. It was decided that the likely enforcement official will be the animal control officer.

Next on the agenda, the council approved an amendment to its fee schedule to establish a permit for residents wanting to own up to three chickens. The permit fee will be $75 the first year and $15 a year after that.

Alderman Craig Kittel offered a joke during the debate.

“So we’re bringing in the chickens but we’re getting rid of the deer?” he clarified.

For the complete story, see this week's New Richmond News.

Tags: local government, new richmond, outdoors, crime