Money to again fund the controversial Portage deer-kill program is in the city's budget right now, but it might not stay there.

With expenses always an issue, the $5,000 request might be cut by the Common Council, according to Tim Raimer, manager of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for Portage.

"I got a feeling from them that we may do it every other year. It depends on whether they pass the new budget or not next Tuesday," Raimer said.

The program aims to control the deer population within city limits.

"I think it was successful last year. I haven't had any calls this summer or fall about deer problems at all. I haven't seen a lot of deer, and I haven't heard anything from anybody about deer," Raimer said. "If they go to an every-other-year program, I think we could keep the numbers low."

Last December, the program set up sharpshooters on stands to shoot down at deer baited with cornfeed. The shooters used night-vision goggles and silencers. About 60 deer were killed, more than halfway to the 100 for which the city budgeted.

Wildlife Specialists of Spring Green charged $85 per kill at five baiting sites around the city: Collipp-Worden Park near Silver Lake, Woodridge Park off Winnebago Avenue, the airport, behind the parks and recreation office on Silver Lake Drive and Gunderson hill near the Rolling Hills Country Estates on the city's northeast side.

The deer-kill spots were in areas represented by Council member Rick Dodd, 3rd District, and Carol Heisz, 2nd District. Both supported the program because of feedback from their constituents.

"I got called up and people thanked me because they were seeing less damage in their yards," Dodd said. "I know there are still deer around because I see them all the time, (but) we tend to spray our yard."

Dodd lives on the "edge" of the city, he said, where deer frequent the fields behind his home. However, he has not had a complaint about deer this year, while Heisz has had one, according to Dodd.

"Personally, I think it's a good thing (to not hear concerns about the deer population) because it seems like we controlled them. It's not an eradication program, it's a deer management program," Dodd said. "We never intended to eradicate all the deer out of the city. That's not even possible."

Dodd said that he has heard there is no need to do the program on a yearly basis, but he does not know if the money for the program will remain in the budget until Tuesday's 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

Common Council member Fred Reckling opposed the program last year and said he would do so again.

"I still feel the money can be used in a more efficient way, and if it needs to be cut because of budget crunches, that's OK in my opinion," Reckling said. "The budget has yet to be finalized, but there will more than likely be cuts."

Raimer said that if funding is cut, that would be OK as long as deer remain controlled.

"I think we have a manageable amount in the city limits that aren't causing problems," Raimer said. "Normally, deer season pushes deer into the city to get away from hunters, so that's something we'll be able to tell over the next two to three weeks. But based on signs compared to previous years, I don't think it will be a problem."

The program restarted in the city after citizens complained that deer were aggressively moving inward into the city limits on private property, destroying vegetation. They also argued that it was a public safety issue for drivers as well as a public-health issue because deer tend to help propagate Lyme disease. A similar program ran from 1999 to 2002.

Those opposing the program said that the money allocated for the program, as much as $8,500, could have been spent on other city priorities. They also said that the program was more about convenience than safety.

Brian Downey opposed the program when it was reinstated last year, and said he does not want it to continue at any point.

"I think it's the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars they ever dreamed up. Let's put that money into our school system, hire an extra counselor or hire an extra teacher," Downey, of Portage, said. "When the budget is as tight as it is, they shouldn't even be entertaining the idea."

jmccoy@capitalnewspapers.com

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