Wait till the school bus leaves then let 'er fly.

I do it every year in my yard in PA.  I have also hunted urban parks as part of organized herd control efforts.  Deer usually don't just waltz into an area with human activity... they do it very carefully and are generally on somewhat high alert.  Most importantly they always have an escape route in their head when venturing into dangerous territory, and you can be rest-assured it does not include running through the middle of the neighborhood.  As long as you make a clean kill shot, they will go straight for cover and probably you can even guess their escape route making recovery very simple.

I'd be tempted to hunt there too.  Given the state you live in and the prevailing ... political disposition there, I'd be more concerned with PETA and those sorts interrupting the hunt.  

In other words - I think your primary concern ought to be remaining camouflaged from people.  Hiding from the deer is probably a secondary concern.

I'm with Big Ed, talk to the neighbors, let them know what you are doing and go for it. Can't get enough hunting time.

I have had that happen a couple of times.  Made a good shot and doe, she ran straight to the house and almost in garage before she expired.  Another time while hunting near a golf course, I shot a big doe that ran up onto #7 tee box and died with people ON that tee box!!!  Luckily both situations turned out good.

Go for it! You may be surprised at how many big deer you will see, especially if the hunting pressure is light. It will be a great spot in the gun season if gunners can't get in there due to the proximity of the homes. Sounds like a honey-hole.

Not to scare you but I had a buddy that hunted in a neighborhood setting. One year he shot one and it ended up in a backyard pool. Boy it's awful funny sitting around the campfire listening to that one. Luckily the landowner was understanding.

My setting is more rural, but I can see several neighbors' homes when the leaves are off. Two of my stands are in sight of my own house.  I have 50 acres out the back door, but the hunting is best close to the house until the rut. Neighbors are all hunter-friendly here.

Heart-shot deer will run blindly straight ahead, but all of the deer I've shot through the lungs headed back toward where they came from.

Man those are some horror stories died in a pool, almost made it into the garage and died on the #7 T box.  I can just imagine what the pool guys wife said.

I drug a deer out of someones backyard one time.  Just be quick like a Ninja!

Yes.

I wouldn't. Not because there's anything wrong with it. But I would be too worried about the deer ending up in someones pool to enjoy myself.  

I've shot tons (30+)of deer in that setting, take good shots only.  I never had problems and a +1 for talking to neighbors.

I would everyday.. Take close perfect shots and enjoy the meat.  Urban deer must be controlled and quality bowhunters are the perfect tool for the job.

John III

I have hunted a neighborhood of multi-million dollar homes set on 5 acre lots for about 7 years now and never had a problem.  As stated by many above, only take high percentage shots.  Learning the neighborhood is also important - when people come and go, which neighbors are antis and which are not, etc.  Be discreet and not overly obvious about getting in and out of the stand.  Buy something to wrap the deer up in when dragging him back to the truck or do it after dark - I use an old plastic toboggan and a tarp.  Most importantly, give some venison and a nice bottle of wine to those who let you hunt there and you will get invited back and they will introduce you to their neighbors.  I started with just one property in 'my neighborhood' and now have 7, plus a 40 acre woodlot all within spitting distance of eachother.

The ONLY thing that would stop me.....is if there was a law in place that DEMANDED I have permission from landowners to retrieve my downed game (this is important ANYWHERE).

If it's perfectly legal for me to retrieve....I'm hunting.  If permission is required (to retrieve), I'm gonna get said BEFORE I hunt it.

I've got semi-urban spots I hunt regularly (with permission ....AND I can't be denied access to my downed game...if I'm not in posession of a weapon/bow).  I still am very cognizant of how I get my deer out.  One such spot is touchy (and I've taken my best two bucks from there).  I call each time to speak to the landowner.....to let them know I'll be retrieving a deer from there.  It's their choice, then, to look or not.  They choose to "not".  That's cool.  If I could get it out without them knowing....I'd do that.  But I don't want to surprise them.  these folks are HUGE animal lovers.....and I consider their overlooking that (for my benefit) a blessing.  I'd never rub that in their face.