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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Deer Population Without Deer
Management Plan
1200
600
1000
800
-+-Deer counted
-.- Deer without hunt
400
. --+
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200
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
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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.
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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
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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,
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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)
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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,
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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
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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,)
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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
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