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Deer Manage. Plan 2004-2005 D~~@UE ~<k~ MEMORANDUM March 8, 2004 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: 2004-2005 Deer Management Plan Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan is recommending City Council approval of the Urban Deer Management Plan for the 2004-2005 season. There will be slight change in the any sex tag incentive and, as previously approved by the City Council during the budget process, the City will pay for the hunters' second deer tag after they harvest an adult doe. On February 4, 2004, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducted an aerial survey. The deer population did not increase from 2003. If the 90 deer had not been harvested last year, the deer population would have increased an expected 30%. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. f/lJJ ~ Ail Mïbhael C. Van Milligen ~ MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist "Ii 8'J!¡¡C .r,! '- 'co, G B'J~¡ í1D CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM TO, M;oha~ C. Vao Mm~e~~ge, \\~ ' FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan,"RN, Public Health Specialist SUBJECT: 2004 - 2005 Deer Management Plan March 10,2004 INTRODUCTION This memorandum provides a report of the 2003 - 2004 City of Dubuque 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 recommended a citywide bow and arrow hunt to reduce the deer density within the city limits. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides aerial surveys and consultation. DISCUSSION On February 4, 2004, the Iowa DNR repeated the aerial survey. The results of that survey, along with the previous years results are attached. Comparisons of actual deer counted show that the population remained the same. Greg Harris, Wildlife Biologist with the Iowa DNR, and Tim Link conducted the aerial survey. Although the numbers are steady, the survey should be viewed as a multi-year trend. Roadkill deer picked up by the Operations & Maintenance Department increased to 25 in 2003 (18 in 2002, 42 in 2000, 32 in 1999 and 49 in 1998.) This year's hunt must be evaluated while looking at previous years and future projections. If no hunt had been conducted, the population would have increased by approximately 33% annually, as demonstrated by the attached graph. This graph also projects what the population would be next year if the City had not done any deer management the past years. The City of Dubuque spent approximately $2106 for the total program last season, not including staff time. This included $500 for an educational brochure, "Living with Deer". During this year's season, there were 89 permitted bow hunters inside the city limits, and they harvested a total 90 deer. One hundred and seventy licenses were sold for hunting within the city limits. The density in the southern portion of Dubuque did decrease. Of the five urban deer managed bow hunts in Iowa, Dubuque continues to be 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. The only change in this year's plan involves the incentives. Last year, the first five hunters to harvest 5 adult does by November 1 (defined as any female 1 1/2 years or older) were eligible to purchase an any sex tag. Unclaimed tags not claimed by November 1, were put into a drawing with 5 additional any sex tags. For all hunters, for every adult doe harvested, two chances were given, for any fawn, one chance was put into the drawing. The 5 deer harvested incentive repeated beginning November 1 until the end of the season. Nine any sex tags drawn at the end of the season were based on the cumulative number for the entire season, provided the hunter did not already eam an any sex tag on November 1. This year's recommended incentive plan is based on input from the hunters, IDNR, the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission, staff and, most importantly, previous year's hunting data. The 10 top hunters who harvest the most does (with a minimum of 3 does) by November 1, 2004 receive an any-sex tag. This format repeats beginning November 1, 2004 through January 19, 2005, for tags for the next season. If a tie occurs on the number of does killed, a drawing will be held among those that tied. If all 10 tags are not claimed by November 1, 2004 or the end of the season, they will not be distributed. In addition, if hunters have an any-sex tag at the beginning of the season, they must harvest a doe before their any-sex tag will be issued. This is to provide an incentive to harvest does before November 1, 2004. The incentive also includes paying for the hunters' second deer tag, after they harvest an adult doe. This was approved as a budget improvement level for FY 05. The ESAC, Leisure Services Department Manager Gil Spence and I are all recommending continuation of the urban deer management program as was conducted this year, along with the changes in the any sex tag incentive. The ESAC approved the plan on March 2, 2004. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council review the results of this year's urban deer management program and continue with the attached plan for the 2004-2005 hunting season. CITY COUNCIL ACTION Approve the attached urban deer management plan for the 2004-2005 season. MRClcj cc: Michael Buelow, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission Gil Spence, Leisure Services Department Manager Kim Wadding, Police Chief Dan Brown, Fire Chief Don Vogt, Operations & Maintenance Manager Paul Horsfall, Water Pollution Control Plant Manager Greg Harris, IDNR 3/10/04 CITY OF DUBUQUE DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2004-2005 Season Prepared by: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission & City Health and Leisure Services Departments The City of Dubuque's sixth urban deer management season ended January 10, 2004. 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 were conducted in each year since 1998, and most recently on February 4, 2004. 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 2004 aerial survey counted 313 deer, exactly the same as the 2003 survey. The area north of Highway 20 increased in densities, while the area south of Highway 20 decreased significantly. 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. During the 2003-2004 hunt, thirty-four hunters harvested at least one deer, one hunter harvested ten deer, one hunter took eight deer, two hunters harvested six deer each, two hunters took five, and two hunters took four deer. Ten any sex tags were allotted through the incentive program. Three hunters earned any sex tags by harvesting 5 does by November 1, 2003. The remaining tags were distributed through a drawing held November 1, 2003 based on 1 chance for each fawn and 2 chances for each adult doe harvested. In addition, 10 any sex tags were distributed at the beginning of the season, based on the 2002-2003 season. The following goals are recommended for the 2004-2005 season. 1) Limit deer population within defined areas of the city of Dubuque below 20 deer per square mile; Provide public education regarding deer and their impact on the environment Encourage eligible property owners to allow qualified deer hunters on their property. Discourage citizens from feeding deer. 2) 3) 4) Recommended Manaaement Plan Recommended is 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.) The main goal of the hunt is to reduce the deer herd by harvesting adult does. . The proposed bow hunt would coincide with the Iowa deer hunting seasons, October 1, 2003 through January 19, 2004 (these dates are set by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.) All licenses would 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 of a minimum of three acres 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. . Hunters are responsible for obtaining permission from private landowners. Adjoining landowners could combine their property to create a 3-acre plot. Hunters would have to maintain a distance of 150 feet from any property line or occupied building, and 75 feet from any unoccupied building, street or trail. . All hunters would be required to pass a proficiency test and present a valid International or Bow Hunter Safety Course Certificate. . Hunters will also have to 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 reporting numbers of shots andlor deer harvested reporting specific areas and timeslday of hunt registering all deer harvested Incentives. The 10 top hunters who harvest the most does (with a minimum of 3 does) by November 1, 2004 receive an any-sex tag. This format repeats beginning November 1, 2004 through January 19, 2005, for tags for the next season. If a tie occurs on the number of does killed, a drawing will be held among those that tied. If all 1 0 tags are not claimed by November 1, 2004 or the end of the season, they will not be distributed. In addition, if hunters have an any-sex tag at the beginning of the season, they must harvest a doe before their any-sex tag will be issued. This is to provide an incentive to harvest does before November 1, 2004. Additional Incentive: The first 75 hunters who harvest an adult doe will be eligible for a $10.50 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. 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 $1300.) The IDNR is also recommending an additional aerial survey in early April. This will provide additional deer population data, without the influence of surveying right after the end of the hunting season, when deer tend to have moved to the city for refuge. The additional cost would be $1000 - $1300. DUBUQUE MANAGED DEER HUNTS Inside City Limits 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 (Archery Only) Hunters participating 59 66 96 117 97 89 Licenses sold 122 150 253 289 218 170 Deer harvested 74 106 124 156 137 90 Success rate 61% 71% 49% 54% 63% 53% Outside City Limits 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 (All Weapons) Hunters participating Unknown 79 127 88 Licenses sold 153 150 247 159 87 Deer harvested (est.) 98 94 82 *(84) *45 (actual reported Success rate 64% 63% 34% 28 28 Total Estimated 172 200 206 ** (284) 200 Harvest DUBUQUE AERIAL SURVEY - SUMMARY Area Deer Deer Deer Density Density Density Density Density Density Density Count Count Count 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2004 2003 2002 North of Hwy 20 (9.7 sq. mi.) Blocks B, C, D, 184 163 154 22 19 22 22 15.9 17 19 E,F South of Hwy 20 (3.4 sq. mi.) Blocks G, H, I 129 150 112 37 37 46 44 33 44 38 DEER COUNT 313 313 266 357 308 367 361 266 313 313 TOTALS 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 Deer Population Without Management Plan 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 -+- Deer counted ..... Deer without hunt