Police department culling deer

The number of deer seen in town will start to decrease as the Thermopolis Police Department begins it’s regular culling of the animals.

Sergeant Pat Cornwell said the Wyoming Game and Fish provides the department with 30 permits, in order to cull 30 deer within the town limits. He added they are only allowed to cull does, and will perform the service on two separate occasions.

While culling, Cornwell said, the officers will not be in uniform and will likely be in their personal vehicles. They will also carry rifles, but will have badges for identification. The officers aren’t going to be shooting just anywhere around town and will use common sense, Cornwell said. They will be shooting during the night and away from residences. Officers have utilized open areas such as the old airport and the ball fields, or areas with bare hills so any missed shots will go into the dirt.

Following the culling, Cornwell explained, the animals will be tested for chronic wasting disease and those with the disease will be discarded. The others will be processed and the meat given to those who have called in to get their names on the list. Cornwell emphasized the list is full at this time and no further names were being accepted.

The number of deer culled — 30 — is down significantly from when the process first started, Cornwell said, as the first year saw 80 culled. At that time, he added, there was an accident at least once a day, sometimes even once a shift, between a vehicle and a deer on Broadway.

The culling process, he said, helps ensure there are fewer deer in town and those left are healthier. It also leads to fewer accidents and helps drive the bucks out as they have to go searching for mates. He pointed out it’s not a fun job, but it does have the benefit of also providing meat to those who need it or who want it but are unable to get out and hunt.