(Hidden Valley, Ind.) - An animal rights group is taking aim at a controversial deer hunt in southeast Indiana.

Hidden Valley Lake has dozens, if not hundreds, of deer wandering in the Dearborn County community.

This fall, the HVL Property Owners Association is attempting to thin the herd by allowing bow hunters take deer in designated hunting zones. Those areas can be found on the Hidden Valley Lake website at http://www.hiddenvalley-lake.com/PDF/DEER%20MAP%209.29.2010.pdf.

Last week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued an action alert calling HVL’s bow hunt “among the cruelest forms of hunting.”

“We have been told that a doe is suffering in agony after recently being struck—but not killed—by an arrow,” the alert read posted on PETA’s website read.

The humane group is urging members to e-mail Hidden Valley leaders and ask that the bow hunt be stopped.

Rules set by the POA require hunters to take five non-antlered deer before they can harvest their first antlered deer.

Still, PETA alleges bow hunting is an ineffective method for thinning the herd.

“As long as the area remains attractive and accessible to deer, more animals will simply move in to fill the voids that are created when others are killed. This hunt is a vicious killing cycle, and many animals will suffer needlessly.”

HVL’s bow hunt will continue during Indiana’s archery seasons Oct. 1 through Nov. 28 and Dec. 4 through Jan. 2, 2011. The POA’s rules do not allow the hunt during weekends, holidays, or during school breaks.

Hunters permitted to participate in the hunt at Hidden Valley first had to meet requirements set by the POA.

LINKS:

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