Helena Wants To Cull Up To 200 Urban Deer

Helena officials are expected to ask the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission for permission to reduce the city's deer population by 200 animals this winter.

City Manager Ron Alles will make the formal request at the commission's Dec. 8 meeting. He says the city aims to cull 175 deer but wants the ability to take up to 25 more if not enough does are caught.

The trapping and killing is expected to take place between Jan. 20 and March 31.

Alles says the commission approved the removal of 50 deer last year, but only 25 or 26 were killed.

All the venison harvested in the effort is given to local food pantries.

Associated Press