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Hunting could return to Blue Hills Reservation to cull deer herds

MILTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- For the first time in more than a century, deer hunters could soon be allowed to return to Blue Hills Reservation.
    
The reason has to do with the explosion of the deer population in recent years. Experts conducted a study and found that there are over 85 deer per square mile. A healthy population has about 6 per square mile. 
    
There is legislation in place that requires the division of fisheries and wildlife to cull the population. 
    
Hikers who enjoy Blue Hills tell FOX25 that they have mixed feelings on hunting in the reservation.

"Kind of scary," said Linda Nelson. "It's never been a place where people have been allowed to hunt."

"I'm not opposed to that," said another hiker, Charlie Cullinan. "Something has to be done to control the deer population."

Experts say the deer not only eat through the vegetation but also bring in diseases, like Lyme disease.
    
Hunting is expected to begin in December.