A private company killed and removed 62 deer as part of a planned cull at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve.
The city of Bloomington hired sharp shooting company White Buffalo Inc. to reduce the population by up to 100 deer, starting in December.
Parks and recreation officials say overpopulation of deer at the preserve has reduced the size and quantity of many plant species. The city will monitor the number and heights of plants to assess the effectiveness of the cull.
Funding from ‘Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry' allowed the city to have the deer meat processed. The city then donated the venison to Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
Now that the cull is over, Griffy Lake will resume normal hours.
The city had to cancel similar plans for a cull in 2015, after it said deer weren't lured to bait sites.