Sandpoint OKs deer hunt within city

The city of Sandpoint has approved a request from airport officials to allow a deer hunt within city limits because some of the deer are wandering onto the runway and posing a hazard.

“I hate to say we have to kill some deer,” Bonner County Commissioner Mike Nielsen said, but added that it’s a “whole lot better” than endangering human lives.

The hunt will be conducted by experienced bow hunters filling their normal hunting tags during regular hunting season, authorities said.

The large deer population is no longer afraid of airplanes, prompting some of them to roam onto the runway, Airport Manager Dave Schuck said.

Hunters will be screened and invited by airport administrators. Schuck said restricting the hunt to bows will reduce the risk of accidental injury or property damage.

The plan, Schuck said, is to eliminate residential deer but to leave transitory deer alone.