Judge clears way for NW Ind. town’s deer hunt

VALPARAISO, Ind. — A judge is letting a town along Lake Michigan go ahead with a deer hunt, saying he doesn’t have the authority to block it ahead of a state agency’s hearing on a challenge to the hunt’s permit.

Opponents wanted a Porter County judge to delay the hunt planned by the Ogden Dunes Town Council until after a Dec. 29 Department of Natural Resources hearing. The town’s permit allows volunteer sharpshooters to kill up to 40 deer through Feb. 15.

The Times of Munster reports that town attorney Charles Parkinson accused opponents of trying to delay the process. Hunt opponent Dona Young says she believes the due process of law is being cut short.

Town officials say the hunt is needed because of more Lyme disease cases among residents.