Deer task force recommends some hunting in Bloomington to cull numbers

The 11-member task force voted Wednesday to adopt a nearly 200-page document detailing its research and its recommendations for dealing with increasing numbers of urban deer.

Although the task force intends to meet sometime next week to discuss how it will present the document to the Bloomington City Council next month — the document is expected to be presented during a discussion meeting on Oct. 24 and voted on Oct. 31 — Wednesday’s vote largely marks the end of its research.

Still, implementation of any of the recommendations in the document is likely to be a ways off.

The report, which is titled “Common Ground: Toward Balance and Stewardship,” will be up for adoption as an “advisory document” for the city. The city council must later draft and approve ordinances that would implement the recommendations outlined in the report, such as a ban on feeding the deer.