HUDSON: The city is issuing permits to bow hunters today under a new municipal law seeking to cull the local deer population.Archers can kill deer beginning Friday through Feb. 5 on approved residential properties.City spokeswoman Jody Roberts said several people took out permit forms, but didn’t know how many.The law that the City Council passed last month allows bow hunting on properties that are at least 5 acres. Landowners and hunters must have a permit, and hunters must complete an archery proficiency test at Gander Mountain in Twinsburg using a target provided by the city.Only bow and arrow and crossbow and bolt are permitted, and shots can be taken only from a tree stand at least 8 feet above ground so that the trajectory of the arrow is downward.Hunters cannot follow wounded animals off property; police must be called to deal with wounded deer that wander off site.In addition to having required state permits, bow hunters pay an administrative fee of $25 for the city-issued permit.Hunting requirements and restrictions, harvest information, tagging information and permit information can be obtained at the Hudson Police Department, 36 S. Oviatt St.City officials have been discussing ways of keeping the growing deer population under control for years.Earlier this year, the City Council learned that deer collide with vehicles on city streets an average of twice a week. Ward 1 Councilman George Roth equated it to “culling deer with car bumpers.”The council concluded that professional deer hunters would be too costly, so it agreed to allow homeowners to bring in their own licensed hunters.Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.