2011-2012 Deer Management PlanMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2011 -2012 Deer Management Plan
DATE: April 12, 2011
Dubuque
kittA
AI- AmedcaCity
2007
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan recommends approval of the 2011 -2012
City of Dubuque Urban Deer Management Plan. No changes are proposed from last
year's plan regarding deer.
The coyote incentive will be continued to encourage bow hunters to harvest coyotes. In
addition to reimbursing hunters the deer tag costs for every coyote harvested, permitted
hunters will be allowed to hunt coyotes year round. However, City parks will not be
open for coyote hunting outside the deer hunting season.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Millig
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Mil
anager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan;L° , Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: 2011 -2012 Deer Management Plan
DATE: April 7, 2011
Dubuque
AfAmeracatry
2007
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides a report of the 2010 - 2011 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 10, 2011, the Iowa DNR conducted the aerial survey. The results of that
survey, along with the previous years' results are attached. Ross Elingson, 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. Although the numbers and densities decreased, the survey
should be viewed as a multi -year trend (see attached chart).
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 $1843 for the total program last season, not
including staff time.
During this year's season, there were 71 permitted bow hunters inside the city limits,
and they harvested a total of 92 deer, an decrease of nineteen 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 2011 -2012 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.
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission reviewed the plan at their April 5, 2011
meeting.
The coyote incentive will be continued to encourage bow hunters to harvest coyotes. In
addition to reimbursing hunters the deer tag costs for every coyote harvested, permitted
hunters will be allowed to hunt coyotes year round. City parks will not be open for coyote
hunting outside the deer hunting season, however.
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 2011 -2012 hunting
season. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission also recommends
approving the plan.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Approve the attached urban deer management plan for the 2011 -2012 season.
MRC /cj
cc: Chad Oberdoerster, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
Pat Prevenas, Marie Ware, Leisure Services Department Manager
Pat Prevenas, Recreation Division Manager
Mark Dalsing, Police Chief
Dan Brown, Fire Chief
Don Vogt, Operations & Maintenance Manager
Jon Brown, Water Pollution Control Plant Manager
Greg Harris, IDNR
Ross Ellington, IDNR
CITY OF DUBUQUE DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN
2011 -2012 Season
Prepared by: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
&
City Health and Leisure Services Departments
The City of Dubuque's tenth urban deer management season ended January 30, 2011.
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 10, 2011. 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 2011 aerial survey
counted 264 deer, a decrease of 120 from the 2010 survey. A total of 92 deer and 2
coyotes were harvested in the city. 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.
Twenty any -sex tags were allotted through the incentive program. Seven hunters
earned any sex tags and an additional three hunters received any sex tags through a
lottery system for the 2010 -11 season from deer harvested from the previous year and
ten during the 2010 -11 season.
The following goals are recommended for the 2011 -2012 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.
5) Provide deer tag incentives for harvesting coyotes.
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 2010 -2011 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
10, 2011, and end with the regular Iowa deer seasons, January 22, 2012.
• 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 3 acres of land is required. However, approval may 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 with the City and the IDNR
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
Any Sex Tag Incentives
The top seven (7) hunters who harvest the most does (with a minimum of three (3)
does to qualify) by October 31, 2011 will receive a dedicated either sex license for the
remainder of 2011 -2012 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; a non- 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, 2011 through January 22, 2012 the above format is
repeated. In addition, if hunters have qualified for an either sex license for the beginning
of the 2011 -2012 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.
Sept. 10 — Oct. 31, 2011, 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
11 -12 hunting season. An additional (maximum) three (3) licenses will be available by
weighted lottery drawing.
Nov. 1, 2011 — Jan. 22, 2012, seven (7) dedicated any -sex licenses good for the
remainder of the 2011 -2012 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. Harvest count starts anew beginning
November 1. Harvest results from November 1 to the end of the season count towards
the following season's first incentive licenses.
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
Summary of Incentives
Additional Incentive: The hunters who harvest an adult doe will be eligible for a
$13.00 reimbursement for the cost of their second deer tag.
Coyote Incentive: A qualified deer hunter will be reimbursed for a doe tag for each
coyote harvested and checked in at Fire Headquarters. Hunters are allowed to harvest
coyotes year -round as long as all hunting rules in this plan and from the IDNR are
adhered to. Hunting coyotes will not be allowed in City parks designated for deer
hunting outside of the deer hunting season.
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. The City will not conduct the aerial survey this year due to budget constraints.
2010-
2011
71
142
92
64%
92
2009-
2010
84
174
111
64%
111
2008-
2009
76
164
105
64%
105
2007-
2008
71
194
110
56%
110
2006-
2007
63
166
118
71%
118
2005-
2006
62
133
80
60%
80
2004-
2005
86
255
98
38%
98
2003-
2004
89
170
90
53%
90
2002-
2003
97
218
137
63%
• 137
2001-
2002
117
289
156
54%
156
2000-
2001
96
253
124
49%
124
1999-
2000
66
150
106
71%
106
1998-
1999
59
122
74
61%
74
Inside City Limits
Archery Only)
Hunters
Licenses sold
Deer harvested
Success rate
Total Harvest
Deer
Count
2011
141
15.8
58
16.6
123
15.4
264
Deer
Count
2010
226
23.3
203
20.9
85
25
181
22.6
407 (384
wlo B)
Deer
Count
2009
167
17.2
156
62
84
10.5
251
Deer
Count
2008*
121
12.5
147
18.3
268
Deer
Count
2007
303
31.2
163
47.9
466
37%
Deer
Count
2006
210
21.6
129
38
339
Deer
Count
2005
160
16
107
31
267
Deer
Count
2004
184
19
129
38
313
Deer
Count
2003
163
17
150
44
313
Deer
Count
2002
154
15.9
112
33
266
Deer
Count
2001
22
44
361
Deer
County
2000
22
46
367
Deer
Count
1999
19
37
308
Deer
Count
1998
22
37
357
Area
North of Hwy
20 (9.7 sq.
mi.) Blocks
B, C, D, E, F
Density by
Year
North of Hwy
20 (8.9 sq.
miles) Blocks
C, D, E, F
Density by
Year
South of
Hwy 20 (3.5
sq. mi.)
Blocks G, H,
Density by
Year
South of
Hwy 20 (8
sq. mi.)
Blocks G, H,
I, J * *, K
Density by
Year
Deer Count
Totals
* Boundaries aligned with city limits
** J/K = City limits only
DUBUQUE MANAGED DEER HUNTS
DUBUQUE AERIAL SURVEY - SUMMARY
ZONE /Sq. Mi.
2004
COUNT
2005
COUNT
2006
COUNT
2007
COUNT
2008
COUNT
2009
COUNT
2010
COUNT
2011
COUNT
A
10
47
55
Skip
B
18
0
15
16
11
23*
C 4.61
96
98
151
84
51
57
90
72
C1
15
(INCLUDED
IN C)
D 1.16
37
52
14
79
30
53
39
28
E 2.66
13
9
25
63
12
27
34
21
F 1.21
5
1
5
61
28
19
31
20
F1 (Avenarius Farm)
9
0
G 1.32
66
69
68
89
56
32
38
11
H 1.41
23
14
23
16
28
17
17
16
I .73
40
24
38
58
14
13
30
31
J 2.61
33
62
57
87
18*
27*
21
K 1.98
24
2
22
197
49
4
69*
44
L
27
NA
NA
Skip
M
59
TOTAL
407
(380)
328
473
809
268
251
407 ( *384
without
B)
264
DEER AERIAL CENSUS BY ZONE
* = City limits only