MOUNT VERNON - Mount Vernon city leaders want to yank the welcome mat out from under the feet of some unwelcome four-legged visitors.
A rash of complaints about destructive deer prompted the Mount Vernon City Council to discuss this week ways to rid the city of the unwanted company.
The deer are destroying property and creating safety hazards for the driving public, city manager Ron Neibert said.
"We've seen an influx of deer and that's brought the matter to the forefront in terms of safety and property damage," he said.
For instance, a deer recently caused a crash on Broadway Street, the city's busiest thoroughfare, and deer have been blamed for the destruction of some pricey landscaping in residential areas of town.
The deer population is not necessarily growing, but deer are on the move at this time of year, deer project manager Tom Micetich of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said.
"The breeding season is kicking in. Girls are avoiding boys and boys are not taking no for an answer. They never did look both ways before crossing the streets and they're even less inclined to do so right now," he said. "It's also harvest time and they're moving around a lot, trying to find someplace else to provide cover." http://goo.gl/2nIFK
