By The Archery Wire

The Village of Granville, located in Central Ohio, saw an 11 percent increase in its urban archery deer hunt, which ended Feb. 3. Bowhunters successfully took a total of 137 deer, up from 123 last year. The harvest included 100 does and 37 bucks.

Granville's urban deer bowhunt was first authorized in 2007, with the first hunting taking place in 2008.

Hunt coordinator Mollie Prasher, Granville's Clerk of Council and Executive Assistant to the Village Manager, told the Granville Sentinel newspaper this week that some of the less-productive bowhunters were eliminated this year, leaving more productive ones.

According to the Village's website, bowhunters are selected by the Village based upon specific qualifications, including total years of hunting experience, prior urban deer hunting participation, and/or a law enforcement background.

Granville adopted a multi-faceted deer management plan to address problems related to the high numbers of deer in several Village neighborhoods. The deer management program includes public education to inform Granville-area residents on what can be done to make the Village habitat less attractive for the deer, to reduce the damage to landscaping and other plantings, and to minimize the other negative impacts of the deer.

Bowhunting is authorized in selective areas to reduce the size of the herd. The bowhunting program is controlled and regulated by the Village and is designed to be unobtrusive. Hunting may be allowed on public property as well as private properties that have been offered for hunting by the property owners.