DNR meetings in Cleveland, other cities allow citizens to speak out on deer management

SOCIAL CIRCLE - State wildlife biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources say Georgians have a love-hate relationship with the state's huge white-tail deer population.<br /> <br /> State Deer Biologist Charlie Killmaster said in an interview on WDUN's Afternoon News Wrap that deer are the most sought-after game species in the state, and he said they are beautiful animals.<br /> <br /> "But, they also cause a lot of problems - deer/vehicle collisions, damage to agriculture and landscaping," said Killmaster.<br /> <br /> Because of the challenges of managing the state's deer population, DNR's Wildlife Resources Division has once again scheduled a series of public meetings around the state to give citizens the chance to discuss issues ranging from hunter education to urban deer management to bag limits. A total of eight meetings will be held at various locations across Georgia; the one north Georgia meeting is scheduled for August 21 in White County. <i>(See detailed schedule below.)</i><br /> <br /> These meetings are the final opportunity to allow members of the public to provide input regarding the Draft DMP - or Deer Management Program. <br /> <br /> "We value the public's awareness of and participation in this important process" said John W. Bowers, Chief of Game Management. <br /> <br /> DNR said in a press statement this week approximately 300,000 deer hunters harvest nearly 400,000 deer over the course of the deer season. The annual economic impact of deer hunting in Georgia exceeds $890 million and supports more than 11,000 jobs. <br /> <br /> <b>Public Meeting Schedule for Draft Deer Management Plan (DMP)</b><br /> <br /> All meetings begin at 7 p.m.<br /> <br /> Monday, August 18<br /> City of Monroe Community Center<br /> 602 East Church Street<br /> Monroe, GA 30655<br /> <br /> Monday, August 18<br /> Town's Bluff Heritage Center<br /> 54 Riverwood Trail<br /> Hazlehurst, Georgia, 31539<br /> <br /> Tuesday, August 19<br /> Fire Station Community Center<br /> 1190 Evenflo Drive<br /> Canton, GA 30114<br /> <br /> Tuesday, August 19<br /> Leesburg Library<br /> 245 Walnut Avenue<br /> Leesburg, GA 31763<br /> <br /> Wednesday, August 20<br /> Monroe County Library<br /> 62 West Main Street<br /> Forsyth, GA 31029<br /> <br /> Wednesday, August 20<br /> Greystone Power Auditorium<br /> 4040 Bankhead Highway<br /> Douglasville, GA 30134<br /> <br /> Thursday, August 21<br /> Loudsville Methodist Church<br /> 1493 Highway 75 Alternate<br /> Cleveland, GA 30528<br /> <br /> Thursday, August 21<br /> Susan Shipman Building,<br /> One Conservation Way<br /> Brunswick, GA 31520<br /> <br />