Council approves rules for deer hunting in city limits

The city of Medford is taking aim at reducing the number of deer in the city.

At Monday’s council meeting, members approved a new ordinance providing guidelines on hunting deer in the city limits and announced the city has 25 nuisance deer tags issued by the Department of Natural Resources to help eliminate deer in the city.

At the August 25 committee of the whole meeting, council members had voted to pursue getting the permits in light of ongoing complaints from property owners about the growing deer population in the city.

According to police chief Chad Liske, hunting within the city has always been permissible with an archery or small game license. Hunters are limited to using a bow or crossbow to take down game.

The new ordinance helps clarify the rules for residents. It is patterned off of similar ordinances in other communities. Under the ordinance, hunting is allowed during the archery season which begins this coming weekend and goes until January. Those wishing to hunt in the city must have a valid DNR archery license if they are planning to harvest deer. The applicable DNR hunting rules apply, with those living south of Hwy 64 having a bonus antlerless permit with their deer license, in addition to the availability of the city’s nuisance deer tags.

Safety is a major concern during any hunting, and especially when hunting in a more populated area. Liske said people should hunt deer from an elevated location such as the roof of their home so that they are shooting into a downward trajectory and reduce the likelihood of an arrow going past their intended target. Liske said it is important that people shoot their arrows in a safe direction.

Council member Mike Bub questioned what happens if a wounded animal goes into another person’s property. As with any other hunting, the hunter will need the property owner’s permission to come and retrieve the deer. Bub also expressed concern about gut piles being left in the city from hunters gutting out deer.

City coordinator Joe Harris that when people ask permission would be the time for property owners to tell a hunter they need to “take the deer whole and dispose of the innards somewhere else.”

While the ordinance is in response to a nuisance deer issue, Liske said hunting in the city also includes any small game such as rabbits or even squirrels.

Council members unanimously approved the new ordinance and accepting the 25 nuisance tags from the DNR. People interested in using the nuisance tags should contact city hall.

In other business, council members:

• Approved increasing the pay for members of the police and fire commission from $35 per meeting to $50 per meeting. This is the first increase since the current rate was set in 1993. The commission typically meets infrequently, unless dealing which a disciplinary matter or hiring of officers.

• Approved the amendment of the project plan and boundaries of Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 14. This is a mixed-use TID located primarily south of CTH O and portions of the industrial park along Progressive Ave. The city is looking to expand the TID to include the new Johnson subdivision area as well as other parcels, which increasing in size, the change does not change the project plan. The TID change will need to go to the joint review board for final approval.

• Approved the sale of $5,888,932 in sewer system revenue bonds to complete the estimated $9 million sewer plant project. Harris explained that the city is working with the DNR loan program on the project and in addition to a grant is receiving $2 million of principal forgiveness from the state. The interest rate is 1.2% with a 20-year repayment term.

• Approved issuing $993,042 in revenue bonds for the water utility to pay for the development of city well No. 14. The total cost of the project is $2,218,484 and the city qualified for a 50% principal forgiveness equalling $993,042, with the remainder to be paid over 20 years at a 1.4% interest rate.

• Approved a new three-year contract with the Medford Professional Police Association. Under terms of the new contract, effective January 1, 2026, police employees shall receive a 4.5% wage increase going from the base wage of $33.91 to $35.44 per hour; and effective January 1, 2027, employees shall receive a 4% wage increase going up to $36.85 per hour and effective January 1, 2028 employees shall receive a 4% increase going to $38.33 per hour. The investigator will also see the same percentage increase each year going from the current base rate of $35.74 per hour to $37.35 in 2026, $38.84 in 2027 and $40.40 in 2028.

• During the committee of the whole portion of Monday’s meeting, council members:

• Received the August and annual pool reports. The pool saw 2,378 patrons during the month of August despite being closed early four days and being closed all day on three days. For the entire season, there were 12,150 patrons and $24,488.15 in pool fees collected. Patronage was down slightly from 2024 which had 12,165 total patrons, but up from 10,670 in 2023.

• Approved the creation of a nonlapsing account for the FIX-It grant. The city in partnership with the village of Gilman received $120,000 Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as well as contribution of funds from other entities. The money was given out to qualifying businesses through grants and loans for facility improvements. The nonlapsing fund will serve as a collection point for the loans as they are repaid, with the intention of having the funds available to be loaned out again for future applicants.