Deer Tags - ESAC Letter
February 24, 2004
Honorable Mayor Terry M. Duggan
and City Council Members
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members:
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (hereinafter the "ESAC")
has monitored and reviewed the success of the City deer hunt since its inception. The
goal of the City deer hunt has been to reduce, or maintain, the deer herd at its present
level. This past season, fewer hunters were involved in the City deer hunt.
Accordingly, fewer deer were taken during this year's hunt.
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission is always looking for ways
to improve the success of the City deer hunt. The Health Services Department has
requested $2,805.00 to purchase the first deer tag for each hunter. The cost of the first
tag is $25.00. The ESAC supports this budget request. If the deer herd cannot be
maintained at its present level, we believe that citizen complaints will increase and more
drastic measures may have to be implemented. One option that has been explored in
the last several years is the hiring of a sharpshooter. This is presently being done in
Iowa City and I believe the yearly cost ranges from $70,000.00 to $125,000.00. If the
City had to hire a sharpshooter to address the deer problem, this money would have to
be budgeted every year. However, we believe that small measures can make the City
deer hunt more successful. We also believe that $2,805.00 is a small amount to pay
compared to the cost of other altematives. Though bow hunters receive recreational
opportunities from the City deer hunt, they also provide an important service to the City
by managing the city's deer herd. The ESAC respectfully requests that this budget
request be approved by the Council.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this regard.
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Sincerely,
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~~~ ~emmers, Member
Environmental Stewardship
Advisory Commission
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