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Deer Management PlanCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM April 13,2000 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Deer Management Plan The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission has submitted a recommendation to continue the very successful and cost-effective Urban Deer Management Plan utilizing bow and arrow hunters within the City limits with these modifications: 1) Request 500 deer licenses in the Fall 2000, up by 200 from last year. The County area adjoining the City would get 250 of these and the City would get 250, 2) Allocate 150 licenses to the southern portion of the City and 100 to the northern portion. 3) Set a density goal of 20 deer per square mile for each survey block. Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan recommends that the Urban Deer Management Plan be continued with only a modification of the number of licenses from 300 to 500. I concur with the staff recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/dd Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist Gil Spence, Leisure Services Manager Michael Buelow, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission " r CD :-0 .J> ~ õ' ( ) CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM April 12, 2000 TO: Michael C. Van MillitJen, ~anager FROM: Mary Rose COrri9a~N, Public Health Specialist SUBJECT: City of Dubuque Deer Management Plan INTRODUCTION . This memorandum provides staff recommendation regarding the continuation of the City of Dubuque's Deer Management Plan proposed by the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC.) BACKGROUND Last year, the Health Services Department facilitated the ESAC's continued research and development of a City Deer Management Plan, including working with representatives of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (lDNR) and soliciting citizen input. The City Council then approved continuing bow and arrow hunting within the city limits with the following conditions: 1) Hunting could occur only from elevated stands; 2) The timeframes were in conjunction with IDNR's deer hunting seasons; 3) The Park Commission set up specific times for hunters in the parks; 4) Minimum of three acres for hunting. DISCUSSION . On January 28, 2000, the Iowa DNR repeated the aerial survey. The results of that survey, along with the 1998 and 1999 results are attached. Comparisons of actual deer counted show that the population increased this year. Jim Jansen, Wildlife Biologist with the Iowa DNR, conducted the aerial survey and stated although the survey was . . . slightly up, road kills were down by 40%, thirty-two road kill deer were picked up by the Operations & Maintenance Department in 1999 (54 in 1998), and hunters also reported seeing less deer. Weather conditions, hunting pressure, and other circumstances can cause some variability in the aerial survey. 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 last two years. In comparison, Iowa City used sharpshooters for their urban deer management this year. Three hundred and sixty deer were harvested in ten days at a cost of $70,000, plus approximately $12,000 for processing. The City of Dubuque spent approximately $1,300 for the total program, not including staff time. During this year's season, there were 66 permitted bow hunters inside the city limits, and they harvested a total 106 deer for a 71 % success rate (61 % last year.) All allotted 150 licenses were sold for hunting within the city limits. In the zone outside the city limits, where any legal weapon can be used, another 150 licenses were sold with an estimate of 94 deer taken with these licenses. The last tag was sold just prior to the end of the season. Hunters did not complain that there were not enough tags available. The total estimated harvest from the Dubuque managed hunt was 200 deer. Although most of the deer were taken south of Highway 20, excellent habitat combined with private refuges make this area more difficult to impact. In fact, private ownership with no hunting allowed could make this an unsolvable situation, only future hunting seasons will reveal these southern population impacts. Of the four urban deer managed bow hunts in Iowa, Dubuque harvested the most deer and has the highest success rate. Jim Jansen 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. Seven complaints were received and all were investigated. Most of the complaints were inquiries from citizens or miscommunications between property owners and, therefore, the complaints were not substantiated. The attached deer management plan is essentially the same as the 1999-2000 plan with minor changes to the number of license tags requested (500 vs. 300.) I do not agree with the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission's recommendation of allocating specific numbers of tags for northern versus southern areas. By requesting 200 additional tags, we will possibly attract additional hunters and/or provide additional . . . ; - tags for the current number of hunters. This mayor may not address access to land where high populations of deer reside. That will be up to the hunters and landowners. Since the last deer license was sold just before the end of the season in January, 2000, we cannot assume that more tags will be sold next year. The balance between number of hunters, and available hunting land will dictate how many licenses are sold and how many deer are harvested. Also, record keeping for tracking northern versus southern tags would put an additional burden on the County Recorder's Office, who already provides us a valuable service by selling the licenses and performing other functions that help administer the program. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission is also recommending a goal of 20 deer per square mile for each specific survey block. I nor Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff agree with that recommendation for the following reasons: 1) 2) Block sizes were selected by boundaries, i.e., roads, not deer home ranges; Many blocks are too small - average home ranges of an adult doe is one square mile; Some blocks are mostly houses, with small areas of woodlands; There is great movement between blocks because the blocks are so small; If managed per block, licenses sold will have to be designated for a certain block. 3) 4) 5) In future years, survey results will calculate densities for northern and southern areas, which will show a more accurate picture than individual blocks. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached Urban Deer Management Plan for the 2000-2001 hunting season and direct staff to forward it to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for their approval and issuance of 500 special hunting tags. It is further recommended that the City continue the annual aerial deer survey in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. CITY COUNCIL ACTION Approve the attached recommended deer management plan. MRC/cj cc: Michael Buelow, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission Gil Spence, Leisure Services Department Manager John Mauss, Police Chief Dan Brown, Fire Chief Don Vogt, Operations & Maintenance Manager Paul Horsfall, Water Pollution Control Plant Manager Jim Jansen, IDNR Wildlife Biologist . . . DUBUQUE AERIAL DEER SURVEYS 1998 - 2000 NORTH SIDE Area Square Deer Deer Deer Density Density Density Miles Counted Counted Counted 1998 1999 2000 1998 1999 2000 Block B 0.9 0 1 1 0 1 1 Block C 2,9 120 97 100 41 33 34 I!lock ci 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Block D 2.0 42 43 63 21 22 32 Block E 1.7 29 39 41 17 23 24 I!lock F 1,2 21 4 4 17 3 3 SOUTH SIDE Block G 1,3 33 42 61 26 32 47 Block H 1.4 58 49 63 41 35 45 Block I 0.7 34 33 34 49 47 48 TOTAL 13.1 337 308 367 DUBUQUE MANAGED DEER HUNTS . Inside City Limits 1998-1999 1999-2000 (Archery Only) Hunters Participating 59 66 Licenses Sold 122 150 Deer Harvested 74 106 Success Rate 61% 71% Outside City Limits 1998-1999 1999-2000 (All Weapons) Hunters Participating Unknown 79 Licenses Sold 153 150 Deer (est.! Harvested 98 94 Success Rate 64% 63% Total Estimated Harvest 172 200 . DUBUQUE AERIAL SURVEY - SUMMARY Area Deer Count Density Density Density 2000 1998 1999 2000 North of Hwy 20 19.7 sq, mi.) 209 22 19 22 Blocks B,C,D,E,F South of Hwy 20 13.4 sq.mi,) 158 37 37 46 Blocks G,H,I TOTAL 367 . . . . Deer Population Without Deer Management Plan 1200 600 1000 800 -+-Deer counted -.- Deer without hunt 400 . --+ . 200 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 . > . CITY OF DUBUQUE DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2000-2001 Season Prepared by: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission & City Health and leisure Services Departments Approved by: Dubuque City Council The City of Dubuque's first urban deer harvesting project ended January 10, 1999, 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 1998, 1999, and most recently on January 28, 2000. It can be assumed that the 1999 population of deer surveyed increased by approximately 30%. This means that the number of fawns born during the summer increased the pre-hunt fall population. The 2000 aerial survey counted 367 deer, indicating an increase from the 1999 survey. The area south of Highway 20 appears to have the highest densities, The City is requesting a total of 500 tags, 200 more than the previous year. . During the 1999-2000 hunt, 36 hunters harvested at least one deer, one hunter harvested thirteen deer, two hunters harvested ten deer each, one hunter took six, and two took five deer each. Five buck (any sex) tags were given out from the lottery held November 1 st. Hunters who had harvested a doe by that time were eligible for one of the buck tags. An additional five any sex tags were drawn in March, 2000 for the following Fall hunt. This any sex tag will continue during the 2000-2001 season, The following goals are recommended for the 2000-2001 season. 1) Limit deer population within defined areas of the city of Dubuque below 20 deer per square mile; 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 to the citizens of Dubuque and the deer herd resulting from large deer population. 2) Recommended Manaaement Plan . Recommended is a controlled bow hunt inside the city limits and gun and bow hunting in a special zone around the city. The objective of the hunt is to reduce the deer herd, not to provide recreational hunting opportunities, The proposed bow hunt would coincide with the Iowa deer hunting seasons, " . . . October 1, 2000 through January 10, 2001 (these dates are set by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.) All licenses would be issued for antlerless deer only, or for bucks 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 adjacent to the Water Pollution Control Plant and the Mines of Spain land south of Fremont Avenue bridge following creek and railroad bed (23 acres) . Hunters would be 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 and/or deer harvested reporting specific areas and times/day of hunt register all deer harvested Incentives. As an incentive for hunters, a hunter will be given a chancels) for a drawing for an additional "any sex" tag after they have harvested an antlerless deer. Hunters will be give two 12) chances for adult does and one chance for fawns harvested. A drawing will be held November 1, 2000 for 5 "any sex" tags. Any hunter obtaining an adult doe after November 1, 2000, would be eligible for an "any sex" tag drawing to occur for the following year's hunt, . 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 they shot their deer, 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 the later part of October to accommodate both hunters and those using them for recreational use. 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 $600 - $700,) , . April 10, 2000 Honorable Mayor Terrance M. Duggan & City Council Members City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque IA 52001 Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members: The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission is recommending continuation of the City of Dubuque's Urban Deer Management Plan for the 2001 season. The results of the 2000 aerial survey and the number of deer taken indicate that the area bow hunters harvested a significant number of deer, and have significantly curtailed population growth, However, the overall population continues to exceed levels commonly accepted as excessive for urban areas. The Commission is especially concerned about the southern area of Dubuque and, therefore, is proposing more license tags be allotted for this area, Several of the blocks surveyed show a density far above the Commission's goal of 20 deer per square mile. The Commission has also discussed whether a density of 12 deer per square mile is more ideal for protection of native plant species, however, its goal of 20 will not be reduced at this point, RECOMMENDATION The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council continue with its Urban Deer Management Plan, utilizing bow and arrow hunters within the city limits, and authorize City staff to work with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to continue Dubuque's Urban Deer Management Plan this Fall. We also recommend that the City Council request an additional 200 deer licenses for the city and county zones (above the current 300 for a total of 500), with the city's half allocating 150 for the southern portion (below Dodge Street) and 100 for the northern portion. We further recommend that the density goal of 20 deer per square mile be for each individual survey block, as indicated on the attached map. Sincerely, Michael Buelow, Chair Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission DEER MANAGEMENT ZONE III Z 2 Ii III ! = Ii Ii , . -.. . .