Deer are out of control in this SC city. The solution: sharpshooters with guns
Tega Cay will consider limited uses of guns inside the city limits to control a burgeoning deer population, according to an ordinance change approved Monday.
The deer population in the city of around 13,000 people in northern York County along Lake Wylie has been at issue for years, with residents describing the wildlife as a danger to pets, plants and mess-free yards.
The city action Monday is only for wildlife management rather than recreational hunting. The ordinance will allow for U.S. Department of Agriculture contracted sharpshooter marksmen to cull the 80 deer, according to city officials who spoke at Monday’s meeting. Though, its language allows for the city council to grant exceptions on a case-by-case bases for firearms or firearm-like devices.
The second reading of the ordinance was approved unanimously by city council Monday night.
Some residents wanted immediate action to cut down the number of deer, while others want an approach using birth control darts. Others want a mixed use of both to control the deer population both in the short term and for long-range management.
A city of Tega Cay Facebook post does not say when action to cull the deer would happen in early 2024. But the cost for culling the 80 deer in a proposed contract with USDA and staff costs for is around $63,000, city officials said in Monday’s meeting.
Besides traditional guns, the new ordinance allows the city to allow temporary use an air propellant gun, or crossbow for wildlife management.
Several residents spoke Monday at the city council meeting about the city’s plan to allow shooters to cull 80 deer. They shared a range of opinions about the decision.
State approved Tega Cay’s plan
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources approved culling 80 deer in October, according to a city of Tega Cay Facebook post.
The posting said: “During the December 18 City Council Meeting, the Tega Cay City Council elected to cull the deer population, utilizing The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services of the USDA. In October, SCDNR approved culling 80 deer in the City of Tega Cay.”
City leaders said in the Facebook post they are still considering use of contraception methods for the deer but wanted action to start quickly.
And Tega Cay actually wants to cull more than 80 deer: the city is asking South Carolina officials to the killing 160 animals. That appeal is set for January, city officials said Monday.
This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Deer are out of control in this SC city. The solution: sharpshooters with guns."
