Bloomington, Indiana council overrides deer hunt plan veto

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sharpshooters will be allowed to thin the deer herd at a Bloomington nature preserve after the City Council voted to override the mayor's veto of the proposal.

The council voted 7-2 Wednesday night in favor of the ordinance, one more vote than needed to override the veto by Mayor Mark Kruzan. The plan allows the parks department to hire sharpshooters for hunting in the 1,200-acre Griffy Lake preserve on the city's north side.

The Herald-Times reports some opponents call the planned cull "murder" and have questioned whether the preserve has too many deer. Supporters say research shows an overabundance of deer is causing ecosystem damage.

Councilman Chris Sturbaum said he doesn't even like to kill mice, but he recognizes the need to protect the preserve.