Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Deer Hunting a Real Possibility for Spring Lake

TSPR's Emily Boyer

Macomb aldermen are considering a proposal to allow archery deer hunting at Spring Lake.

The season would run from October through mid-January. Only Macomb residents with valid hunting licenses would be able to participate by registering with the park district.

Seventh Ward Alderman Clay Hinderliter said it would be a win-win for hunters and for the city.

One of the biggest problems deer hunters have in Illinois today is having a place to hunt," Hinderlite said. "If you don’t own ground, you have to rely on someone else to hunt. We have a lot of deer out around Spring Lake and this would afford an opportunity to control the population and hopefully keep some poachers out of our spring lake area.”

We have a lot of deer out around Spring Lake and this would afford an opportunity to... hopefully keep some poachers out.

Hinderliter says some local residents have voiced concern. But he said hunting won't be allowed near their homes. Also, he said bow hunting is much safer than allowing guns into the area.

"Shotguns are lethal for up to a quarter of a mile," Hinderliter said. "But, archery is only accurate up to a 35 yard shot."

Goose and duck hunting are already allowed at Spring Lake. Aldermen need to decide whether there should be a limit on the number of hunters each season before voting on the entire proposal.

Emily Boyer is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.