Access to urban hunting for white-tailed deer can draw on several decades of success where deer reduction has been accomplished while answering concerns with safety and public acceptance. Essentially showing  yes, it can be done.   Critics cannot simply point to a deer herd which continues to grow as an indication of less than optimal results. In fact reducing an urban deer population through archery hunting access is more linked to slowing growth, not just by total eradication which is nearly unattainable. Designing these hunts is a  balance of encouraging hunters to take part while addressing real and perceived safety issues from residents. The end result is a win for all involved parties. 

Wildlife managers and city safety advocates could design a nearly infailable hunting season, but without willing hunters there's nothing gained. So the key is to meet these head on, but as is witnessed in Charleston recently there's not guarantee. In fact just as the deer herd will never be completely controlled, neither will the echo from factions not wanting urban hunting. 

CHARLESTON -- Urban deer hunting season will now begin two weeks sooner in Charleston and that has some residents on-guard.

The Belcher family's property in the woods of Charleston but right up against a designated urban deer hunting area and last year, they found several stray arrows on their property.

While they're not opposed to hunting, they are nervous for themselves and their animals.

"If they're chasing an eight point buck I guess they're going to come up here anyway after it and cross that property line," said Alex Belcher. "I have it posted all the way along but I'm afraid they ignore those and they must be getting close to get those arrows up here to my back yard."

Along with moving up the start date, Charleston City council also voted Monday to allow hunters to kill more deer. They've also upped the penalties for hunters breaking the rules like crossing into private property.

I continue to point out it's imperative the key supporters not lose heart and while the line between over restrictive and justifiable concerns is not easily defined, in some situations it may be valuable to begin with lesser expectations in terms of open area's, hunters and harvest. A small scale experiment may draw the necessary success and buy in and be used as a springboard for future expansion. Human nature and emotion accepts gradual change and initial success provides a visible example of "yes it can be done