Law and Finance Committee members remain unconvinced that the N.C. Wildlife Urban Archery Program will make much of an impact in Garner, after their meeting Jan. 13. The committee members decided to take no action to instate the program after looking over statistics from other municipalities in the area.

The two-week extension of the hunting season only rendered as many as 16 deer in 2010 in Elkin. Most municipalities studied across the state tallied less than five deer harvested during the program.

Town Council member Gra Singleton said because many of the complaints received about deer eating Garner residents’ flowers came from property owners who are backed up to the county line he doesn’t believe the program would have much success.

As an added issue, no municipality in the area has a wildlife officer on duty. Complaints about deer are sent to the Wildlife Commission. Still Garner police are concerned the program would have to be managed by them, taking officers away from normal policing duties.

While the committee members said they believe deer are a problem, they don’t think the urban archery program is the best solution.