Commissioners undecided on 11th archery deer hunt

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood — After 10 years of a fall archery deer hunt within the city of Ironwood, a 2016 season has not yet been approved.

The city commission on Monday tabled a resolution that would have approved a limited hunt for this year, resulting in only 20 permits to hunters.

With commissioners Rick Semo and Kim Corcoran absent, the resolution as tabled until the Sept. 26 meeting.

City Manager Scott Erickson said the Department of Natural Resources still recommends having a hunt that would begin on Oct. 1.

The purpose is to keep deer numbers low in the city limits so predators, such as wolves, don’t enter the city and cause problems.

There are five zones of city-owned property that would be included in this year’s hunt.

City Clerk Karen Gullan noted the number of permits issued for the hunt has decreased from 100 a decade ago to the proposed 20.

Only 15 people hunted last year.

The city’s parks and recreation committee has recommended the hunt be discontinued. Erickson said that’s because the deer numbers are so low.

Mayor Annette Burchell expressed concerns about potential conflicts between people who like to view fall colors in Miners Memorial Park and hunters. She suggested no hunting from Oct. 24 through Nov. 14 in the park zone.

Commissioner Brandon Tauer moved to adopt the resolution approving a hunt, but received no support.

The commission then voted to table the matter.

Burchell’s appointments of Dan Kauppi to the Gogebic County Veterans Affairs Council and Nancy Zak to the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority were confirmed by the commission.

In other business, the commission set a public hearing for Monday, Sept. 26, at 5:25 p.m. to hear comments on blight violations at 150 E. Southland St. The property owner has failed to respond to requests to alleviate blight there, including four unlicensed vehicles, commissioners were told by code enforcement officer Jason Alonen.

Among several payments approved by the commission was $377,882 to Angelo Luppino Construction, of Iron Belt, Wis., for the summer paving project. All of the streets have been paved, but the company is still working on some restoration, Erickson said.