Sharpshooters aim to cull deer in, around Jackson park

Sharpshooters will try to kill deer in and around a Jackson park as part of an effort to control the animal’s population.

The city of Jackson says the sharpshooters’ efforts will begin Friday in and around Ella Sharp Park in hopes of clearing the area of deer that pose a danger to motorists. Parts of roadways and trails around the park will close during the cull Friday afternoon through Sunday.

The deer cull around the park is in its ninth year. The state Department of Natural Resources is allowing the city to cull 45 deer this year, and the Jackson Citizen Patriot reports sharpshooters have already taken down 30. The total number allowed by the agency is down 15 from last year.

The processed deer meat will be sent to a church’s food bank.  (AP)