COLUMBIA - People interested in archery hunting for deer within the city limits can attend one of two orientation and registration sessions on Thursday.
The sessions are at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Activity and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash St. Each will last about an hour.
The sessions are free but are required for those seeking a permit to hunt in the city. Hunting this season will be allowed at the city landfill, in Grindstone Nature Area, in part of Twin Lakes Recreation Area, in Smith Park and on sewer utility property on Strawn Road, Coats Lane and Bainbridge Drive.
Bow hunting for deer is allowed from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14 and from Nov. 26 to Jan. 15. Allowing bow hunting within the city is part of Columbia's deer management program, which is attracting more hunters each year, according to a news release from the city. When the program started in 2004, 170 hunters participated. That number doubled in 2005 and has continued to grow to 280 in 2007.
For more information, details are on the city's Web site at gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Parks_and_Facilities/fishreg.php#class.