DALTON GARDENS - The city of Dalton Gardens had 10 deer safely removed from the city in its first trapping and relocation season.

The city's goal was to remove 25, but that was only if the work could start in early December. The city's contracted trapper wasn't able to begin work until late January.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game required the city to wrap up the work at the end of March.

The city captured eight does and two bucks in its pilot program, said City Council President Steve Roberge.

"I wish we would have gotten more," he said Tuesday.

Still, it was a good first season, he said. With eight does gone - all capable of producing two to three fawns - that removes a lot of deer from the city, he said.

"It'll make a difference this year," Roberge said. "I'm very happy with the result."

Most important to him, the deer were all moved from the city safely.

Craig Walker, regional conservation officer for Fish and Game in the Panhandle, confirmed Tuesday the deer were all released alive.

The deer were moved to the east side of Lake Coeur d'Alene, near Harrison, an area approved by Fish and Game.

The city purchased six custom-made traps, and the contract trapper moved them to hot spots in February and March. Most of the deer roam through town to the east of 15th Street.

The city council will have to make a decision about whether to have more deer removed next winter, Roberge said. That decision is likely to be made during upcoming budget discussions, as the city would have to set aside money for another year of trapping and transport.