Mississippi officials want to create a task force to deal with the urban whitetail population in Oxford.

The suggestion came in a meeting Tuesday and follows a controversial plan that would have allowed local bow hunters to thin the herd during an urban hunt.

The plan was scrapped suddenly by state officials, who now recommend a long-term approach, including creating a task force and documenting deer incidents.

Kristina Godwin of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Oxford is the first Mississippi city to have such a problem.

Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson says this is the most controversial issue he’s dealt with in three months as mayor.