Fargo City Commission repeals deer bow hunting program in city parks

(Fargo, ND) -- The Fargo City Commission voted 3 to 2 Monday night to repeal a city program which allows deer bow hunting within city limits.  The commission took the vote after listening to input from Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibloski.  Zibloski had previously asked the commission to repeal the program citing public safety concerns. 

The program was launched 15 years ago in several city parks along the Red River as a strategy aimed at limiting the deer population.

Zibloski told the city commission he had received signature petitions from citizens who wanted the city to end the program and asserted it took too much time for officers in the police department to manage the program.

Commissioners Tony Gehrig and Dave Piepkorn were the two dissenting votes.

"In the 15 year history of the program in the city there is not one instance of a reported injury to anyone in city parks," said Commissioner Gehrig while speaking in support of continuing the bow hunting program.

"You should not be discharging weapons in the city.  Someday there will be an incident that we regret," said Commissioner John Strand while speaking in support of repealing the program.