HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Bow hunting regulated under Urban Deer Management Ordinance and Rules RESOLUTION NO. 17491
RESOLUTION APPROVING URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -
BOW HUNTING
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS, over the past decade, Ames experienced citizen complaints about deer damage,
car-deer collisions, and other issues associated with high concentrations of whitetail deer within the
city; and,
WHEREAS, in an attempt to address these concerns, a Special Urban Deer Task Force
(SUDTF) was convened in 2006; that group gives an annual report to the City Council. Previous
Task Force recommendations to the City Council have included an annual survey of deer
populations, a ban on deer feeding, public education efforts, and liriited urban bow hunting of deer;
and,
WHEREAS, urban deer hunting has been conducted in a limited number of locations under
special rules administered by the Police Department; and,
WHEREAS, the Urban Deer Task Force did not meet this year since there was no significant
change in deer counts or deer-related issues; and,
WHEREAS, a majority of Task Force members support the continuation of hunting in
designated City locations; and,
WHEREAS, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) establishes "legal hunting
hours" (one-half hour before sunrise continuing to one-half hour after sunset) and the "dates"
(September 16 to January 10) for the City of Ames; however, the City may modify these hours and
dates as long as they fall within the overall IDNR time lines; and,
WHEREAS, staff recommends the following locations for deer hunting within the City of
Ames: 1) wooded City property south of the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex; 2) City property north
of the landfill in east Ames off Watt Street (does not include water plant or adjacent construction
areas); 3) South River Valley Park; Gateway Park, Homewood Golf Course; and, Inis Grove Park;
and,
WHEREAS, in addition, the Urban Deer Task Force recommends continuation of the process
allowing private property or other non-city, public property to be enrolled as urban deer hunting
locations; and,
WHEREAS, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that bow hunting for deer within the park system, on City property, and other eligible property as
detailed in the Urban Deer Management ordinance and rules is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 8th day of August, 2017.
Ate.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Arm H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Nelson
Seconded by: Betcher
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin,Nelson, Orazem
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 8th day of August, 2017.