HomeMy WebLinkAboutA005 - Council Action Form dated August 8, 2006, then August 22, 2006 ITEM #
DATE August 8, 2006
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: PROPOSED URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE AND RULES
BACKGROUND:
During the June 20, 2006 special meeting of the City Council, a roundtable discussion
was held concerning white tail deer in Ames. Neighbors in the Northwood Drive area
had earlier petitioned the Council requesting assistance in controlling the deer
population in that area. Along with Northwood Drive area neighbors who addressed the
City Council, several experts on deer management spoke. These included:
• James L. Pease, Ph.D., Extension Wildlife Specialist, Iowa State University
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
• Bill Bunger, Depredation Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Ken Holscher, Associate Professor, Iowa State University Department of
Entomology
Following the roundtable discussion, Council directed city staff to draft an urban deer
management ordinance and rules governing deer hunting in the City that could be
brought back to the City Council for further discussion.
Staff drafted an ordinance that covers hunting in deer population management zones,
procedures and regulations to be followed by hunters, and establishment of a special
urban deer task force. Staff also drafted rules that more specifically set out what is
required by hunters if they wish to hunt within the city limits of Ames.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Direct staff to place deer management ordinance and rules on the August 22, 2006
City Council agenda.
2. Direct staff to prepare more documentation for further Council discussion.
3. Direct staff to discontinue preparing a deer management ordinance.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative
number 1 , thereby directing staff to prepare a final deer management ordinance and
rules for the August 22, 2006 City Council meeting.
Draft Rules 19 DRAFT
08/04/06
City of Ames Urban Deer Management Hunting Rules
Season: September 151' through January 21s'
All participants in the controlled urban hunt must abide by the following rules:
Proficiency Test:
1. Hunters must pass an authorized archery proficiency test each year with the weapon
they will use to hunt with in Ames. The tests will not allow for any warm up shots and
will only allow for a maximum of two attempts each year to successfully complete the
test.
2. The test will consist of 20 total shots: ten at 15 yards and ten at 20 yards. The hunter
must score at least an 80% in the vital area of a life-sized 3-D target.
3. Tests must be administered by a certified I.B.E.F. instructor.
4. State law requires the passage of a one time Bow Hunter safety course.
Tree Stands
1. All hunting must be done from an elevated stand that is at least 8 feet above the
ground.
2. Stands must be located at least 75 feet from any maintained roads or recreation trails,
and at least 200 feet from any residence or building.
3. The elevated stands must be portable with no permanent stands erected.
4. There can be no screws in steps, with no nails or lag screws driven into trees.
5. Tree stands can be erected no sooner than one week prior to local season and removed
no longer than one week after.
General Rules:
1. After completion of the proficiency test and safety course hunters must obtain a special
use permit for the area to be hunted from the Ames City Clerk's office located at 515
Clark St. in Ames. Hunters must be 18 years of age or older.
2. Hunters must comply with the City of Ames Hunting ordinance as well as DNR rules
and regulations for the State of Iowa.
3. Hunters must know the boundaries of their hunting segment.
4. All bows must be cased while traveling to and from the hunting stand site.
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5. The number of hunters allowed in each segment at a time may be controlled and
subject to a waiting list to avoid congestion.
6. Hunters are allowed to harvest only antlerless deer.
7. Shots shall not exceed 25 yards and must be oriented away from maintained roads,
trails and structures.
8. Hunters must be aware of what is downrange and always attempt to retrieve arrows.
9. Field dressing is not allowed on City property.
10. Hunters must always carry their Iowa hunting license,proof of paid habitat fee, and
special use permit.
11. Hunters must remove themselves immediately from any harassment situation and
contact the Ames Police Department at 239-5133.
12. Hunters must report any violators to these rules to Ames Animal Control at 515-239-
5530.
13. Hunters found in violation of any of these rules will be subject to having their permits
revoked.
Reporting Harvest:
1. Hunters must report harvest within 12 hours to the Ames Animal Shelter and Control
by calling their voice mail at 515-239-5530. Press the number 1 when the message
begins, to bypass the message and leave your recording stating the harvest information,
your name and return phone numbers. Always request a call back from Animal Control
to confirm your harvest report. If you do not hear back from them assume your message
was not properly recorded and call them back. Data is important to the overall success of
this hunt and Animal Control will keep a tally. This method will prevent you from
having to transport the deer to them to show the harvest in person.
DRAFT
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE
OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY ADDING
SECTIONS 3.601 THROUGH 3.604 FOR THE
PURPOSES OF PRESERVING ECOLOGICAL
INTEGRITY BY CONTROLLING ANIMAL
POPULATIONS WITHIN THE CITY CORPORATE
BOUNDARIES, PROVIDING RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS, AND THE
OVERALL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF
THE GENERAL POPULATION; REPEALING ANY
AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF
SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby
amended by adding section 3.601 as follows:
DIVISION VI. HUNTING
3.601 PURPOSES. For the purposes of preserving ecological integrity by controlling
animal populations within the city corporate boundaries and adjacent communities,
providing recreational opportunities for residents, and the overall health, safety and
welfare of the general population,this section hereby declares that it shall be unlawful for
any person to engage in hunting activity within the corporate city limits using a rifle,
shotgun, bow and arrow or any other means either on public or private property, on land
or in the water,except as in this division.
3.602. HUNTING IN DEER POPULATION MANAGEMENT ZONES. Hunting is
permitted within an area designated by the Iowa department of natural resources(DNR)as
a special deer management zone and which has been designated as a City of Ames deer
population management zone(DPMZ)by a resolution of the city council and subject to the
following provisions:
1. Hunting in a DPMZ shall be limited to the harvesting of antlerless deer.
However, the city manager or designee may authorize an issuance of licenses for the
harvesting of antlered deer if specifically permitted under an incentive program authorized
by the DNR.
2. Hunting shall be limited to bow and arrow and shall be restricted to dates
and hours established by the DNR. The city manager or designee may issue regulations to
shorten the dates and hours for hunting within a DPMZ.
3. The number of permits issued for each DPMZ shall be fixed by the city
manager or designee.
4. All hunters participating in this program must apply for and receive a
City of Ames DPMZ permit. In order to receive the permit, a hunter must present a valid
state of Iowa special urban deer license and show proof of the following:
a. Successful completion of a one time bow hunter safety
education course approved by the International Bowhunter Education Foundation(IBEF).
b. Successful completion of an authorized archery proficiency test
using the bow that the hunter will use to hunt. Testing must be administered by a certified
IBEF instructor. Testing must be performed under rules approved by the City of Ames
Special Urban Deer Management Task Force. The proficiency test must be successfully
completed each hunting season.
5. All individuals hunting under a City of Ames DPMZ permit shall follow
all procedures and regulations established by the DNR applicable to deer hunting and
special deer management zones. In addition, hunters shall abide by the following
requirements:
a. Hunters must meet with the City's hunter coordinator to review
the rules and boundaries of the DPMZ prior to hunting.
b. All shots must be made from an elevated stand toward a deer
that is not more than twenty five(25)yards from the hunter's location.
C. Elevated stands on public land shall be portable with no screw
in steps allowed.
d. Elevated stands must be at least eight feet off the ground.
e. Elevated stands shall be located not less than two hundred feet
(200') from a residence or building and shall be located not less than seventy five feet
(75')from any designated or maintained trail,road,or highway.
f. A hunter shall carry a bow in a case while traveling to and from
the elevated stand site.
g. A hunter shall not dispose of deer entrails on public property.
h. All deer taken shall be processed for meat or the meat given to
charity.
i. A hunter who wounds a deer and is unable to locate the deer
shall notify the Ames Police Department within ninety(90)minutes of the wounding.
j. While engaged in hunting, the hunter shall carry all necessary
state,county and city hunting licenses and permits.
k. Hunters shall report the harvesting of a deer under a DPMZ
permit to the City of Ames under regulations promulgated by the city manager or designee.
1. A hunter shall not harvest more than three (3) deer in a single
day under a DPMZ permit.A state license shall be required for each deer.
in. If necessary to cross private property to access a DPMZ,
permission first must be received by the hunter from a property owner who has agreed to
allow access.
n. Hunters must remove themselves from any harassment situation
and immediately report the incident to the city.
o. The city manager or his designee,upon recommendation of the
Special Urban Deer Task Force, may promulgate additional regulations, not inconsistent
with this section,to administer this program and or ensure the safety of the public.
6. Designation of a DPMZ within city park lands shall be first referred to
the City of Ames Parks and Recreation Commission for approval and then may be
established by resolution of the city council. Designation of a DPMZ on other city owned
lands shall be by resolution of the city council.
3.603. SPECIAL URBAN DEER TASK FORCE. There is established a Special Urban
Deer Task Force, which will meet periodically to review the policies, procedures,
effectiveness,and recreational benefits of urban bow hunting.
l. The task force shall consist of the following:
a. One or more representatives of Iowa Sate University
with expertise in animal ecology,entomology,or other relevant fields.
b. A wildlife management specialist from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources.
C. A representative from the Izaak Walton League.
d. One or more representatives from Neighborhood
Groups or Associations adjacent to City Deer Management Zones.
e. A representative from the Story County Conservation
Board.
f. A representative from the City of Ames Animal
Control office.
g. A representative from the City of Ames Police
Department
h. A representative from the City of Ames Parks &
Recreation Commission.
i. The City's hunter coordinator.
2. The Task Force shall report annually to the city council concerning the
status of the urban deer population and to make recommendations for changes in the
policies and procedures regarding urban bow hunting.
Section Two.All ordinances,or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict,if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this day of ,
Diane R.Voss,City Clerk Ann H.Campbell,Mayor
00905