HomeMy WebLinkAboutA011 - Council Action Form dated July 20, 2010 ITEM # 24
DATE: 07-20-10
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM — BOW HUNTING
BACKGROUND:
The community of Ames, like many other urban areas, has experienced damage due to
high concentrations of whitetail deer within the city. In an attempt to reduce the
community's deer population, a Special Urban Deer Task Force (SUDTF) was
convened in 2006. Task Force recommendations have included an annual survey of
the deer population, a ban on deer feeding, public education, and limited urban bow
hunting of deer. Urban deer hunting has been conducted in a limited number of
locations under special rules administered by the Police Department. Under these
rules, all participants must purchase a special tag and register with the Police
Department. Participants must also pass a safety course and proficiency test, hunt only
from tree stands situated at least 85 feet from trails, and limit shots to 75 feet or less.
In the 2009-2010 Task Force Report to the City Council, eight recommendations were
put forth:
1. Publicize the program so both private property owners and bowhunters are more
aware of the options.
2. Similarly, promote participation in the early and late season hunts which seem to
have different character. Ensure that all license vendors, police staff, and others have
accurate information about which tags can be used and the seasons.
3. Allow City property to be used to establish the 3 acre minimum if safe hunting can
occur.
4. Allow the hunt administrator to waive the rules limiting how far from the trail or house
a hunter must be if a private landowner chooses to enroll in the program and requests
that the rule(s) be waived.
5. Request that the DNR allow a buck incentive—for every five antlerless deer taken,
one buck tag may be available. Request this option and each antlerless deer harvested
allows one entry into the draw for the buck tag.
6. Facilitate contact between eligible urban bow hunters and property owners.
Facilitate hunter inspection of possible hunting locations in order to advise on the
suitability of neighborhood actions.
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7. Contact Iowa State University, Ames Community Schools, and other owners of large
tracts of wooded land to invite participation in the program.
8. Continue to support and encourage perimeter deer hunting on city and private
property.
Those Task Force members in attendance continue to support the above stated goals
and the continuation of hunting in designated City parks (South River Valley, and
Gateway Parks and Homewood Golf Course) and non-park/public locations (landfill in
east Ames off Edison Street and the city property south of Hunziker Youth Sports
Complex). Task Force members recommended that the season begin as early as
possible (September 11) in locations where conflict with other park users can be
minimized or, where necessary, at a later date recommended by the Parks and
Recreation staff.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) establishes `legal hunting hours'
(one-half hour before sunrise that continue to one-half hour after sunset) and the `dates'
(September 11 to January 31) for the City of Ames. However, the City can modify these
hours and dates as long as they fall within the overall DNR timeline as noted above.
Subject to City Council action and taking the DNR established hours and dates into
consideration, staff recommends the following locations, dates, and times for deer
hunting.
NON-PARK / PUBLIC AREA
Wooded City property south of the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex:
Weekdays: One-half hour before sunrise and ending at 11 :00 AM, September 11
to November 8
Weekends: No hunting until November 8
Daily beginning November 8, DNR legal hunting hours (following the conclusion
of the youth sport season)
City property north of the landfill in east Ames off Edison Street:
DNR legal hunting hours beginning September 11
PARKLAND AREAS
South River Valley Park:
Weekdays: One-half hour before sunrise ending by 4 PM September 11 to
October 22 (hours not used by sport leagues)
Weekends: One-half hour before sunrise ending by 8 AM, September 11 to
October 24 (hours not used by sport leagues)
Daily beginning October 25 DNR legal hunting hours (following the conclusion of
sport leagues)
Gateway Park: Restricted to the west timber
Daily beginning September 11 : DNR legal hunting hours
Homewood Golf Course:
Daily beginning November 1 (following course closure for the season)
In addition, the Urban Deer Task recommends continuation of the process allowing
private property or other non-city, public property to be enrolled as urban deer hunting
locations. The process of establishing eligibility requires the owner or lawful agent in
control of the property to submit a written request for participation to the Police
Department. Requests must include owner/agent permission for at least three
contiguous acres, a map of the property, and a listing of any additional rules or
restrictions being proposed. This may include limitations on who may hunt on the
property. The City Hunt (Manager (Police Department) will evaluate the suitability of
hunting on the proposed location and approve or deny the application. One or more
signs will be posted at these locations and all other rules will apply.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve bow hunting within the park system, City property, and other eligible
property as detailed in the Urban Deer Management ordinance and rules as listed
above.
2. Approve bow hunting only in the City locations specified in this proposal by the
Special Urban Deer Task Force and do not allow additional properties to be
considered.
3. Approve bow hunting in the park system, on City property and on other eligible
properties, but do not allow any modification of rules for private property. This would
prohibit any changes to the separation requirements between hunting locations and
trails or buildings for private property.
4. Do not approve a continuation of bow hunting as proposed in the Urban Deer
Management ordinance and rules listed above.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Iowa DNR, Special Urban Deer Task Force, and Parks and Recreation
Commission, along with staff members within Parks and Recreation, the Police
Department and Animal Control, all support the continuation of the City's Urban Deer
Management ordinance and rules. During 2009 the Department of Parks and
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Recreation received no comments from the public or park users related to the Urban
Deer Management Program.
Creating a process for designating additional hunting locations will provide a tool for
private landowners and other public entities to participate in efforts to control the deer
population.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the Council accept
Alternative #1 , thereby approving bow hunting within the park system, on City property,
and on other eligible property as detailed in the Urban Deer Management ordinance and
rules as listed above.
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