Gahanna deer-hunting program has become a model
With respect to my former colleague, Gahanna Police Chief Jeff Spence, these are the facts and not opinions regarding the Urban Deer Hunting Program in Gahanna.
In 1991, then-mayor and later state Rep. Jim Mcgregor was the impetus. When I became chief of police in 1997, we took his intent and made it the model urban deer-hunting program for the state of Ohio. Our efforts were applauded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for our proactive approach to wildlife management. We helped New Albany, Newark, Granville, Pataskala and more cities create their programs. Additionally, the states of Missouri and Utah sought our advice.
Spence’s assertions that I exclusively ran the program and it was essentially a sport hunting operation are false. ODNR Officer Brad Kiger provided guidance and ensured compliance.
Administrative manager Terri Snider built the framework capturing every metric showing the impact hunters had in directly reducing vehicle crashes and property damage.
My hunters planned and executed deer drives while policing their own ranks. From their tree stands, they called the police about crimes in progress or identified poachers committing illegal acts. They were extra eyes for the police.
Spence said the decisive moment was when an errant shot injured a deer and the deer ran into a yard. The family had no idea there was a culling program. Throughout the years the hunt was featured on WBNS-TV (Channel 10), WCMH-TV (Channel 4), The Dispatch, Rocky Fork Enterprise, social media, civic association meetings and community meetings. Park entrances were signed appropriately. The program was well-publicized.
In 19 years, 86-year-old Rick Harter harvested almost 200 deer and donated 14,565 pounds of venison, the equivalent of 86,190 meals for the homeless. From 2008 to 2018 (when I retired), hunters harvested 571 deer while cars killed 437. Peak deer/car crashes of 92 (2009), reduced to 17 (2017) by licensed hunters in our parks and select private properties with zero taxpayer dollars.
In 25 years, there has never been an injury to hunters, pedestrians or pets.
Dennis Murphy, Gahanna chief of police (retired)