NASHVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A state wildlife official says the deer hunts that started in one of Indiana's most-popular state parks 20 years ago has helped improve its ecosystem.

The December 1993 deer hunt at Brown County State Park near Nashville was met with protesters carrying signs saying "Kill Hunger, Not Deer" and "Hunting, Sport of Cowards."

Brown County and 20 other state parks are closed Monday and Tuesday to the general public so the deer hunts can take place.

State parks natural resources chief Mike Mycroft tells The Herald-Times that the agency doesn't get much criticism against the hunts nowadays.

Mycroft says more wildflower species are growing in the Brown County park than before the start of the hunts, when an over population of deer were clearing the forest of vegetation.

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Information from: The Herald Times, www.heraldtimesonline.com