A city resident approached the City Council with a proposal to consider alternative measures regarding the deer overpopulation issue in Jamestown during Monday’s work session.

Chris Wigren, a Jamestown resident, thanked the council for considering both sides of the proposal for a “deer kill” in the city.

“I just want to thank everyone on the council for allowing a second view regarding the deer kill,” she said. “I believe this issue is tabled for a little bit, but we have an opportunity to bring someone here.”

Wigren suggested the City Council bring in Sandy Baker, the “deer doctor,” to assess the situation and offer guidance for the city. Baker travels across the country, speaking about alternative ways to solve issues with increased deer populations and helping local areas develop multi-step plans.

Wigren echoed the perspective shared at the City Council’s voting session last month, urging council members to consider a different approach to the city’s deer issue.

“I just want to ask that we have an opportunity to address this issue in a humane way,” she said.

While other city residents have expressed a desire to have a “deer kill” or “deer hunt” to reduce the population of deer in the city and have criticized people like Wigren for speaking out against the idea, she said, “Being empathetic and compassionate shouldn’t be criticized.”

Rather than kill the deer, Wigren is advocating for more effective deterrents and measures to be put in place to alleviate the issue while protecting the wildlife population in the area.

“Sandy can take an approach that’s educated,” Wigren said. “She does a five-step plan. She teaches about deer behavior, how to select plants wisely, choosing effective repellants and deterrents, finding out what fencing works and why, and she can help develop a customized plan for this area.”

Wigren explained the City Council could bring Baker into the area for a fee of $500 plus traveling expenses, which she believes is well worth the cost due to Baker’s reputation as a leading authority on the issue.

“I’m happy to help in any way,” she said. “I’ve spoken with Sandy, and she’s more than happy to come.”

Wigren suggested the city could bring Baker in for the spring garden show at the Northwest ice arena. She also suggested the city discuss sharing expenses with Fredonia and have a combined event.

“There’s lots of possibilities,” she said. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to help with this issue.”

According to Wigren, Baker’s approach to the issue would provide the city with insight into different ways to manage the deer population without “having to shoot them,” which she said can sometimes be a painful and long death for the deer, especially if they are hunted with bows and arrows. She also warned the City Council that hunting the deer could have unintended consequences.

“The other issue is that when you kill the deer, nature steps in and now they’re having twins and triplets,” she said. “It really doesn’t do what it’s intended to do. It increases them.”

She concluded that the City Council should at the very least give the “deer doctor” a “try.”