Bessemer seeks solution to growing deer population

BESSEMER — Increasing numbers of deer within city limits have led members of the Bessemer City Council to vote unanimously to request a state permit for an archery hunt.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many deer,” said Councilwoman Linda Nelson, who opened the discussion. “I don’t remember it ever being this bad.”

Nelson claimed that, on Monday morning, there were 15 deer crossing the road when she went to work.

The city has an ordinance that prohibits the feeding of deer, but the problem is in enforcing it, said Mayor Adam Zak. Council members agreed that many people feed the deer anyway, an...