Urban Hunting Program Successful in Gahanna, Ohio
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Posted by Brenda Layman Nov 2, 2009 |
Last week I published an article on urban hunting. A reader suggested that I check with Gahanna, Ohio, because he had heard that Gahanna had begun such a program. I was surprised to learn that Gahanna has permitted urban hunting for the past 18 years! Police Chief Dennis Murphy could hardly say enough good things about Gahanna's experiences with urban hunters. In 18 years, they have had no accidents or incidents that have drawn criticism from area residents. Over 200 hunters are participating in the program, which allows hunting both on designated public land and selected private property. Last year, hunters killed 69 deer, seven more than were killed by cars withing the city limits.
Chief Murphy likes urban hunting for other reasons, too. The hunters, he explains, provide more than 200 additional sets of eyes and ears that are out and about in the community. If they see anything suspicious, they are encouraged to call the police and make a report. With 200 hunters on the job, it's more difficult for criminals to be sure that they won't be observed, even in remote parts of the city.
Yet more good comes from Gahanna's urban hunting activity. Much of the meat is processed and donated to food banks, funded by a grant from the Department of Natural Resources. With this program, everybody wins. Hunters get places to hunt. The city gets the benefit of a controlled deer population. The police force gets hundreds of additional citizens looking out for the community. Hungry people are provided with delicious venison.
Chief Murphy says that Gahanna officials have shared what they have learned with neighboring cities, and they are eager to share with any municipalities that are interested in starting their own urban hunting programs. "We've got all the bugs worked out, and we will share everything we know," says Murphy.
For more information, contact Police Chief Dennis Murphy at:
Gahanna Police Division
460 Rocky Fork Blvd.
Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 342-4240
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