The Cape Girardeau City Council has rejected a request that could have put a vote on deer hunts within city limits on the November ballot.
The council in July approved bow hunting of deer inside Cape Girardeau City limits. Opponents sought an emergency ordinance that would have put the hunt on the November 6th ballot, but the council rejected that proposal Monday. The hunt's opponents say they will continue working to collect 2,446 signatures needed to put the issue up for a vote. The Southeast Missourian reports opponents said last week they have collected more than 1,500 signatures. The hunt is scheduled to begin September 15th. Supporters say it's needed to cull a deer population that is causing traffic accidents and ruining landscaping inside the city.