HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated October 9, 2007, Item 25b a
ITEM #
DATE 10-9-07
COUNCIL ACTION FORM-
SUBJECT: URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - PROPOSED DEER
FEEDING ORDINANCE
BACKGROUND:
The community of Ames, like many other urban areas, has experienced an increase in
its deer population. In the 2006 Report to the City Council, the Urban Deer Task Force
recommended a City ordinance that bans the intentional feeding of deer. The intent of
this ordinance is to avoid attracting deer into neighborhoods where they have become a
nuisance and a hazard. This was one of ten recommendations for addressing the
impact of deer within the community. According to our local ISU Extension Service
Wildlife Biologist, feeding tends to do two things: Concentrate deer in an area around
the feeder, thus encouraging dense populations in one area where they eat other
things, as well; and raise the carrying capacity of an area, so more deer come into the
area.
The City Attorney has prepared an ordinance that prohibits intentional feeding of deer.
Specifically, the ordinance prohibits placing feed or minerals in quantities larger than
one-half gallon at a height lower than six feet. It also prohibits automatic or "drop-
feeders" which have a quantity larger than one half gallon of feed. This ordinance is
consistent with the actions of several other cities that have addressed this issue.
The ordinance does not apply to naturally growing materials in gardens, ornamental
plantings, or garden residue in mulch piles. The ordinance also exempts commercially
purchased bird feeders.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Accept the proposal to regulate the feeding of deer within the City and schedule a
first reading of the proposed ordinance.
2. Modify the proposal to regulate deer feeding within the City by changing the approved
height or volume of feed allowed.
3. Do not approve the proposal to regulate deer feeding within the City.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Although the presence of deer may provide some recreational viewing within certain
areas of the city, the neighborhood concerns associated with damage to plantings,
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traffic hazards and other problems has led the Task Force to recommend a variety of
strategies to monitor the deer population and reduce high concentrations of deer. Deer
feeding can attract large numbers of deer, particularly in the winter months. By
prohibiting intentional deer feeding, the ordinance will discourage those activities that
concentrate deer and exacerbate this problem.
Therefore, it is the City Manager's recommendation that the City Council accept
Alternative No. 1 and schedule the first reading of an ordinance to prohibit the feeding of
deer.
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