Deer Management Program 2009-2010THE CITY OF ~ Dubuque
DT TR ~ Ap-Am~icaCity
~J l~
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2009-2010 Deer Management Plan
DATE: July 29, 2009
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan is recommending approval of the 2009-
2010 City of Dubuque Urban Deer Management Program. No changes are proposed
from last year's plan regarding deer.
However, another incentive will be added to encourage bow hunters to harvest coyotes.
Previously, a coyote earned the hunter reimbursement fora $12 deer tag. This year, the
first deer tag, which costs $27, will be reimbursed for harvesting a coyote and $12 deer
tag reimbursements for each coyote thereafter. In the coming year, staff and the
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission will research and recommend a
comprehensive strategy for urban coyote management.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mi ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E
r
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007
TO: Michael C. Van Millige Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, ,Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: 2009 - 2010 Deer Management Plan
DATE: July 29, 2009
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides a report of the 2009 - 2010 City of Dubuque urban deer
management program and a staff recommendation regarding the continuation of the
program.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque first began its urban deer management plan with the pilot program
at the Sisters of Mount Saint Francis property in 1997. Following that pilot program, the
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC) recommended a citywide
bow and arrow hunt to reduce the deer density within the city limits. The Iowa
Department of Natural Resources provides annual aerial surveys and consultation.
DISCUSSION
On February 23, 2009, the Iowa DNR conducted the aerial survey. The results of that
survey, along with the previous years' results are attached. Greg Harris, Wildlife
Biologist with the Iowa DNR, and Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist,
conducted the aerial survey. Comparisons of actual deer counted show that the
population decreased substantially. Although the numbers and densities decreased,
the survey should be viewed as a multi-year trend (see attached chart). The data also
reflects more accurate city boundary alignment for surveying. Roadkill deer picked up
by the Operations & Maintenance Department has also decreased:
Year Roadkill Deer Picked U
2008 16
2007 29
2006 48
2005 23
2004 21
2003 25
2002 18
2001 41
2000 42
1999 32
1998 49
Each year's hunt must be evaluated while looking at previous years and future
projections. Without a hunt, the deer population would increase by approximately 33%
annually.
The City of Dubuque spent approximately $1008 for the total program last season, not
including staff time.
During this year's season, there were 76 permitted bow hunters inside the city limits,
and they harvested a total of 105 deer, a decrease of five deer from last year.
Of the urban deer managed bow hunts in Iowa, Dubuque continues to be one of the most
successful. Greg Harris stated this is partially due to the aggressive buck incentive and few
limitations put on the hunt. It is also due to our good group of bow hunters who are dedicated
to the program and who generate few citizen complaints. With the assistance of Leisure
Services Department staff facilitating the hunting scheduling, record keeping, and
communication with participants, this year's hunt went very smoothly.
Attached is the City of Dubuque Deer Management Plan for the 2009-2010 season. It is
based on the results of the previous year's hunt, aerial deer count survey and input from City
staff, the ESAC and hunters. No changes are proposed from last year's plan regarding deer.
However, another incentive will be added to encourage bow hunters to harvest coyotes.
Previously, a coyote earned the hunter reimbursement fora $12 deer tag. This year, the first
deer tag, which costs $27, will be reimbursed for harvesting a coyote and $12 deer tag
reimbursements for each coyote thereafter. In the coming year, staff and the Environmental
Stewardship Advisory Commission will research and recommend a comprehensive strategy for
urban coyote management.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council review the results of this year's urban deer
management program and approve the attached plan for the 2009-2010 hunting
season.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Approve the attached urban deer management plan for the 2009-2010 season.
M RC/cj
cc: Wayne Klostermann, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
Gil Spence, Leisure Services Department Manager
Kim Wadding, Police Chief
Dan Brown, Fire Chief
Don Vogt, Operations & Maintenance Manager
Jon Brown, Water Pollution Control Plant Manager
Greg Harris, IDNR
THE CITY OF
DuB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
May 8, 2009
Honorable Mayor Roy Buol and
City Council Members
City Hall
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque IA 52001
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members:
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission is recommending continuation of
the City's Urban Deer Management Plan for 2009-10 as recommended by City staff.
As the City continues managing urban deer, the ESAC would respectfully request a
budget increase from the City Council to implement additional/alternative strategies for
the 2010-2011 season. The ESAC is researching possibilities for deer management
through controlled burns. Many areas within the city are difficult to hunt, but still contain
high deer counts do to prime deer habitat. Controlled burning is not only a method to
move deer, but is effective in removing invasive plant species and promotes healthy
native vegetative growth.
The ESAC respectfully requests City Council to approve the attached urban deer
management plan for the 2009-2010 season. The ESAC will forward information and
recommendations on controlled burns for possible inclusion in the 2010-2011 budget.
Sincerely,
G~i~~
Wayne Ktostermann, Chair
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
cc: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
Gil Spence, Leisure Services Department Manager
Kim Wadding, Police Chief
Dan Brown, Fire Chief
Don Vogt, Operations & Maintenance Manager
Jon Brown, Water Pollution Control Plant Manager
Greg Harris, IDNR
CITY OF DUBUQUE DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN
2009-2010 Season
Prepared by: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
8~
City Health and Leisure Services Departments
The City of Dubuque's ninth urban deer management season ended January 25, 2009.
The hunt was part of the City's overall urban deer management plan, recommended by
the City's Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission, and approved by the City
Council and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Attached is a chart detailing
the results of previous hunts and deer surveys.
Aerial deer surveys have been conducted each year since 1998, and most recently on
February 23, 2009. It is assumed that each year the population of deer increases by
approximately 30% (without any control.) This means that the number of fawns born
during the summer increased the pre-hunt fall population. The 2009 aerial survey
counted 251 deer, a decrease of 17 from the 2008 survey. North and south areas
both decreased in deer density. The City is requesting a total of 650 deer tags from the
IDNR, the same as the previous year. This amount of tags has not sold out in previous
years. The following is a breakdown of the deer harvested for 2006-07 and 2007-08:
2006-2007
10 Hunters killed 1 deer
6 Hunters killed 2 deer
3 Hunters killed 3 deer
2 Hunters killed 4 deer
4 Hunters killed 5 deer
1 Hunter killed 6 deer
2 Hunter killed 7 deer
1 Hunter killed 8 deer
2 Hunters killed 10 deer
1 Hunter killed 11 deer
Total 118 deer harvested
2007-2008
7 Hunters killed 1 deer
5 Hunters killed 2 deer
5 Hunters killed 3 deer
6 Hunters killed 4 deer
1 Hunters killed 5 deer
6 Hunters killed 6 deer
1 Hunter killed 7 deer
1 Hunter killed 8 deer
Total 110 deer harvested
2008-2009
8 Hunters killed 1 deer
12 Hunters killed 2 deer
3 Hunters killed 3 deer
5 Hunters killed 4 deer
3 Hunters killed 5 deer
1 Hunter killed 6 deer
2 Hunters killed 7 deer
1 Hunter killed 9 deer
Total 105 deer harvested
Twenty-one any-sex tags were allotted through the incentive program. Eleven hunters
earned any sex tags and an additional two hunters received any sex tags through a
lottery system for the 2008-09 season from deer harvested from the previous year and
ten during the 2008-09 season.
The following goals are recommended for the 2009-2010 season:
1) Limit deer population within defined areas of the city of Dubuque below 20 deer
per square mile;
2) Provide public education regarding deer and their impact on the environment
3) Encourage property owners to allow qualified deer hunters on their property.
4) Discourage citizens from feeding deer.
Recommended Management Plan
Continuation of a controlled bow hunt inside the city limits and gun and bow hunting in a
special zone around the city with a total of 650 deer license tags available (400 city, 250
zone) is recommended for the 2009-2010 season. The main goal of the hunt is to
reduce the deer herd by harvesting female deer, or does.
• The bow hunt would begin earlier than the Iowa deer hunting season, September
12, 2009, and end with the regular Iowa deer seasons, January 31, 2010.
• All licenses will be issued for antlerless deer only, or for any sex under the
incentive program, within the city of Dubuque.
City Areas. The City will designate publicly owned lands for hunting and allow hunting
on private property with the owner's permission. The public areas for hunting include:
- Eagle Point Park (47 acres)
- Bunker Hill (138 acres)
- Veterans Memorial Park (69 acres)
- FDR Park (200 acres)
- Land south of Fremont Avenue bridge following creek and railroad bed
(23 acres)
- Land behind Medical Associates West campus
- Marshall Park
Hunters are responsible for obtaining permission from private landowners. A
minimum amount of land is no longer required. However, approval must be
granted by the City for hunting on property less than 3 acres based on the
following criteria:
• No homes/businesses within 150 ft. of property
• Adjacent to a 3-acre or greater parcel of habitat, i.e., timber
Field/prairie
CRP
Crop field
Tree planting
• Property otherwise suitable for hunting
Distances from buildings, streets or trails on private property is at the discretion
of the property owner(s) OR 75 feet from any property line, occupied building or
private street/trail. Hunters would have to maintain a distance of 75 feet from
any property line, occupied building, street or trail on public property.
All hunters would be required to pass an annual proficiency test and present a
valid Bow Hunter Safety Course Certificate.
Hunters will be instructed on the special rules and regulations for hunting inside
the city limits, including the following:
- Maintaining a minimum distance from residential areas and property lines,
at the owner's and neighbor's discretion or 75 feet from any property line
or occupied building on public property, and 75 feet from any street or trail
- Reporting numbers of shots and/or deer harvested
- Reporting specific areas and times/day of hunt
- Registering all deer harvested
- Reporting any citizen complaints
- Hunters on private property must abide by the rules of the property owner,
in addition to the Iowa DNR rules
- Field dressing on City property is not allowed
- Deer must be covered or enclosed when transporting
- No baiting, driving, or stalking of deer is allowed
Incentives.
The top seven (7) hunters who harvest the most does (with a minimum of three (3)
does to qualify) by October 31, 2009 will receive a dedicated either sex license for the
remainder of 2009-2010 hunting season. In the case of no hunter reaching the three (3)
doe minimum, a maximum of three (3) either sex licenses will be issued by lottery
drawing: killing one doe yields one chance and killing two (2) does yields three (3)
chances. In the case of a tie with the number of deer killed, exceeding the seven (7)
dedicated either sex licenses; anon- weighted lottery (single entry per hunter) will take
place to determine who receives the license. The remaining hunters would be placed in
the weighted lottery with six (6) chances for three (3) does, ten (10) chances for four (4)
does, etc. After October 31 doe harvest numbers start anew for all hunters participating
in the urban deer management zone hunt to qualify for an either sex license for the
following year. From November 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 the above format is
repeated. In addition, if hunters have qualified for an either sex license for the beginning
of the 2010-2011 season, they must harvest a doe before their either sex license will be
issued for that year. This is to provide an incentive to harvest at least one doe instead
of buck hunting all season. This format is repeated from year to year. Button buck or
other male deer classified as antlerless do not qualify for the incentive licenses, only
female deer.
Summary of Incentives
Sept. 12 -Oct. 31, 2009, seven (7) any-sex licenses, minimum of three (3) female deer
for dedicated license (unless there are ties), licenses are good for the remainder of the
09-10 hunting season. An additional (maximum) three (3) licenses will be available by
weighted lottery drawing.
Nov. 1, 2009 -Jan. 31, 2010, seven (7) dedicated any-sex licenses good for 2010-
2011 hunting season. For the top seven hunters who harvest the most does (with a
minimum of 3 does to quality), an additional (maximum) three (3) licenses will be
available by weighted lottery. An additional doe needs to be harvested in the 2010-
2011 hunting season prior to receiving dedicated either sex license. Harvest count
starts anew beginning November 1. Does harvested during the prior October period do
not count toward this new incentive period.
Format is repeated from year to year.
Weighted Lottery Chances:
1 doe - 1 chance
2 does - 3 chances
3 does - 6 chances
4 does - 10 chances
5 does - 15 chances
Additional Incentive: The first 75 hunters who harvest an adult doe will be eligible for
a $12.00 reimbursement for the cost of their second deer tag.
Administration of the program. The program would be administered by the City's
Health and Leisure Services Department staff with the assistance from IDNR.
Evaluation. Deer hunters will be required to check in the deer harvested at the City Fire
Headquarters, 9th Street and Central Avenue and report where the deer was shot. It is
the intent to keep all public areas open during the controlled hunt if winter recreational
use is permitted. The City of Dubuque parks are closed during the winter, however,
recreational use is allowed. The parks will have special hunting times prior to their
official closure.
Any complaints regarding the hunt will be compiled and handled by the City and IDNR
staff. It is also recommended that the City continue to pay half of the cost of the aerial
survey in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Urban Deer Management Plan
(approximately $1200).
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CITY OF DUBUQUE
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission and the Dubuque City Council recommend the following
management goals:
1. Limit deer populations within defined areas in the city of Dubuque below 20 deer per square mile;
2. Provide public education regarding deer, their habitats, impact on natural habitats, deterrents and population
management, cost of property damage if nothing is done, and potential health risks resulting from a large deer
population to citizens of Dubuque and to deer.
3. Encourage eligible properly owners to allow qualified deer hunters on their property.
4. Discourage citizens from feeding deer.
Each hunter must possess a State of Iowa deer hunting license and a City of Dubuque deer hunting permit which
consists of the following:
1. Each hunter must show proof of certification from the International Bow Hunter Education Course or the Iowa
DNR Bow Hunter Education Course.
2. Each hunter must pass an annual shooting proficiency test which consists of three out of five shots to a 9-inch
target, twenty yards away.
3. Hunter agrees to comply with all Iowa DNR rules covering bow hunting of deer.
4. Maintain a minimum distance from residential area and property lines, at the property owner's and neighbor's
discretion, OR 75 feet from any property line, occupied building or street/trail, whichever is agreed upon by
abutting property owners. A minimum distance requirement of 75 feet from any property line, street or trail is
required for public property.
5. Hunter agrees to report to the City the following: date, time, and place of deer harvested, number of arrows
shot, and any complaints received from citizens.
6. Check-in deer at Fire Headquarters, daily from 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
7. Only portable stands (provided by the hunter) may be used on City property.
8. Hunter agrees to obtain permission from property owners before hunting on private land.
9. A minimum of 3 acres is required for private property hunting. Hunting on less than 3 acres of property is
permissible if the following criteria are met:
• No homes businesses within 150 ft. of property
• Adjacent to a 3-acre or greater parcel of habitat
• Timber, field/prairie
• CRP
• Crop field
• Tree planting
• Property otherwise suitable for hunting as determined by the Health and Leisure Services Departments
• Hunter must submit information regarding the property on a form provided by the City (see page 6).
10. Hunters on private property must abide by the rules of the property owner, in addition to the Iowa DNR rules.
11. Field dressing on City property is not allowed.
12. Deer must be covered or enclosed when transporting.
13. No baiting, driving, or stalking of deer is allowed.
:~~:a~„ _...
:: FiJOiMu Y ¢ y,5Y0u.~e q;rwt~~:4M^~ui.aux ~ ".:
The top seven (7) hunters who harvest the most does (with a minimum of three (3) does to qualify) by October 31,
2009 will be eligible to purchase a dedicated either sex license for the remainder of 2009-2010 hunting season.* In
addition, a weighted lottery for 3 either sex licenses will be held: killing one doe yields one chance and killing two
(2) does yields three (3) chances. After October 31, doe harvest numbers start anew for all hunters participating in
the urban deer management zone hunt to qualify for an either sex license for the following year. From November 1,
2009 through January 31, 2010 the above format is repeated.
In addition, if hunters have qualified for an either sex license for the beginning of the 2009/2010 season, they must
harvest an adult doe before their either sex license will be issued for that year. This is to provide an incentive to har-
vest at least one doe. This format is repeated from year to year. Button buck or other male deer classified as antler-
less do not qualify for the incentive licenses, only female deer.
* In the case of no hunter reaching the three (3) doe minimum, a maximum of three (3) either sex licenses will
be made available for purchase by lottery drawing.
In the case of a tie with the number of deer killed exceeding the seven (7) dedicated either sex licenses, anon-
weighted lottery (single entry per hunter) will take place to determine who is eligible to purchase the license.
The remaining hunters would be placed in the weighted lottery with six (6) chances for three (3) does, ten (10)
chances for four (4) does, etc.
Additional incentive: Hunters who harvest an adult doe will be eligible fora $12.00 reimbursement for the cost of
their second deer tag.
** NEW** Coyote Incentive.
For each coyote harvested, the hunter will receive reimbursement for a deer license tag, including the first
$27.00 tag. Hunters must harvest coyote with a bow and check-in at Fire Headquarters, similarly to deer.
To hunt within the city of Dubuque, the hunter must obtain:
• City of Dubuque deer permit,
• Iowa small game hunting license,
• Habitat stamp,
• City of Dubuque special hunt license,
• Completed indemnity agreement(s) for private and/or City property. Each hunter must have their own indi-
vidual indemnity agreement for signed by the landowner.
Forms are available at the Health Services and Leisure Services Department offices or at the proficiency testing.
Permission must be obtained from private property owners, along with a signed indemnity agreement. Reporting
of deer harvested must be provided to the City of Dubuque.
City Property available for hunting includes:
Eagle Point Park
Veteran's Memorial Park
FDR Park
Marshall Park/Arboretum
Bunker Hill Golf Course
Behind Medical Associates West Campus
Behind Dubuque Technology Park, Hwy. 151/61
Land south of the Fremont Bridge, following the creek and railroad
Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues special antlerless deer management zone licenses for $27.00 for
the first tag and $12.00 for each additional antlerless deer tag. Tags will be available at the Bait Shack, located
at the corner of Fengler and Kerper, phone: 582-9395, after August 15, 2009.
All hunters participating in the Deer Management Program must complete and pass an annual proficiency test.
The test is offered:
Monday, August 31, 2009 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park by Field # 1 (rain date is
Tuesday, September 1, 2009)
All City hunters must check-in killed deer or coyotes to the Dubuque Fire Headquarters, 11 W. 9th Street,
between 7:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. daily for reporting purposes and to be eligible for the incentive program.
All hunters hunting within the city of Dubuque must show proof of passing the Iowa or International Bow Hunter
Safety Course. This is a requirement of the City bow and arrow hunting permit.
Course Information is available on the IDNR website:
http://www.iowadnr.com/law/lawdb/viewcourse.html
If you do not have Internet access, contact Chris Johnson at the Health Services Department, 589-4181, for
assistance.
4
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..,~~~
~?~.. a .,x.-
Octoher 27, 2009-January 31, 2010
1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
~" }
Hunters wishing to donate deer to the needy, may participate in the IDNR's HUSH program.
HUSH is a cooperative effort among deer hunters, the Food Bank of Iowa, meat lockers and the Iowa DNR. The
two main goals of HUSH include:
(1) Reducing the deer population; and
(2) providing high-quality red meat to the needy in Iowa.
Whether you're a deer hunter, a locker owner, or volunteer in your community, there is a vital role you can play.
Participating lockers in the area are:
Edgewood Locker Edgewood (563)928-6814 ~..~,.w,,,~.
Sherrill Deer Shack Sherrill (563)552-1404
Dan's Locker Earlville (563)923-2515
For more information, the website for the program is: www.iowahush.com
5
ti
THE CITY OF
DuB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
NAME OF HUNTER:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
CITY OF DUBUQUE
URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
PERMISSION TO HUNT ON LESS THAN 3 ACRES OF LAND
x Yr
PROPOSED PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:
ADDRESS:
PROPERTY OWNER NAME:
ADJOINING PROPERTY(IES) DESCRIPTION
AND ADDRESS:
TYPE OF PROPERTY:
TIMBER:
FIELD/PRAIRIE:
CRP:
CROP FIELD:
TREE PLANTING:
STAFF USE:
REVIEWED BY:
DEPARTMENT:
DATE:
APPROVED
7
NOT APPROVED