GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) — Gastonia is considering whether to allow bow hunting of deer to reduce the growing population.

If the idea is approved, the archery program probably would only apply in heavily wooded areas, The Gaston Gazette reported.

Gastonia City Council members will consider the idea at a meeting Tuesday. They hope interested people will attend the meeting and offer their ideas.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has suggested an urban archer program as a way to deal with the fast-growing deer population in the state.

Cities must vote on whether to allow hunting in the city limits and they can spell out the rules for any deer hunting.

Bow hunter Kyle McNamara approached city officials about the idea. He says the growth in the deer population can lead to more automobile crashes.

The animals have few natural predators in the area, McNamara said.

"There are so many deer that they can't even sustain themselves within the herd, which is where you get starvation, sickness and accidents that happen," he said.

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Information from: The Gaston Gazette, www.gastongazette.com