Too many motorists are crashing into deer. That’s the problem Placer County officials say they’re faced with.

 

“Specifically in the Granite Bay area – and that number of deer getting hit seemed to be increasing

 

Josh Huntsinger is with the county’s Agriculture Department. They asked the state for help. And Craig Stowers with the California Department of Fish and Game came up with a plan. Stowers says tripling the number of licenses to young hunters between the ages of 12 and 16 would be the most effective way of thinning the deer population.    

 

“What we’re proposing is increasing the range of hunters up to 75. That doesn’t necessarily mean will be issuing 75 tags next year if this thing gets approved.”

 

But opponents of the deer hunt like Loomis resident Janet Thew say that’s a dangerous proposition.

 

“I just don’t see the scientific wisdom in having teenagers do the killing. Why not have professional sharpshooters do it. It’s far more humane and there’s less of a public safety risk.”

 

Stowers says the hunt would take place in suitable grounds and the young hunters would have to be accompanied by an adult. The Placer County Fish and Game Commission will take up the issue on Wednesday, August 26th at 7 PM in Auburn.