2013-2014 Deer Managment PlanMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2013 -2014 Deer Management Plan
DATE: May 8, 2013
Dubuque
kital
All- America City
II 111!
2012
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan recommends approval of the 2013 -2014
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.
brit44
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: 2013 -2014 Deer Management Plan
DATE: May 7, 2013
Dubuque
All-America City
1
2007
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides a report of the 2012 -2013 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 4, 2013, the Iowa DNR conducted the aerial survey. The last survey was
February 10, 2011. The survey is now conducted every other year. The results of the
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 $1896 for the total program last season, not
including staff time.
During this year's season, there were 77 permitted bow hunters inside the city limits,
and they harvested a total of 106 deer, an increase of fourteen 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 2013 -2014 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 May 7, 2013
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 2013 -2014 hunting
season. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission also recommends
approving the plan.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Approve the attached urban deer management plan for the 2013 -2014 season.
MRC/cj
cc: Chad Oberdoerster, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Department 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
2013 -2014 Season
Prepared by: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
City Health and Leisure Services Departments
The City of Dubuque's fifteenth urban deer management season ended January 29,
2013. 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 since 1998. An aerial survey was conducted
on February 4, 2013 (see results on attached chart). It is assumed that each year the
population of deer increases by approximately 30% (without any control.) A total of 106
deer were harvested in the city. The City is requesting a total of 650 deer tags from the
IDNR for the 2013 -2014 season, 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. Also six hunters earned any sex tags and an additional four hunters
received any sex tags through a lottery system from the second half of the 2012 -2013
season.
Two coyotes were harvested.
The following goals are recommended for the 2013 -2014 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 2013 -2014 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
14, 2013, and end with the regular Iowa deer seasons, January 19, 2014.
• 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
Behind Dubuque Technology 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 must maintain a distance of 75 feet from any
property line, occupied building, street or trail on public property.
• All hunters are 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, 2013 will receive a dedicated either sex license for the
remainder of 2013 -2014 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, 2013 through January 19, 2014, the above format is
repeated. In addition, if hunters have qualified for an either sex license for the beginning
of the 2013 -2014 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.
Summary of Incentives
Sept 14 -Oct 31, 2013, 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
2013 -2014 hunting season. An additional (maximum) three (3) licenses will be available
by weighted lottery drawing.
Nov. 1, 2013 — Jan 19, 2014, seven (7) dedicated any -sex licenses good for the
remainder of the 2013 -2014 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
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.
DUBUQUE MANAGED DEER HUNTS
Inside City Limits
(Archery Only)
2012-
2013
2011-
2012
2010-
2011
2009-
2010
2008-
2009
2007-
2008
2006-
2007
2005-
2006
2004-
2005
2003-
2004
2002-
2003
2001-
2002
2000-
2001
1999-
2000
1998 -
1999
Hunters
77
69
71
84
76
71
63
62
86
89
97
117
96
66
59
Licenses sold
169
164
142
174
164
194
166
133
255
170
218
289
253
150
122
Deer harvested
106
110
92
111
105
110
118
80
98
90
137
156
124
106
74
Success rate
62%
67%
64%
64%
64%
56%
71%
60%
38%
53%
63%
54%
49%
71%
61%
Total Harvest
106
110
92
111
105
110
118
80
98
90
137
156
124
106
74
DUBUQUE AERIAL SURVEY - SUMMARY
Area
Deer Count
2013
Deer Count
2011
Deer Count
2010
Deer Count
2009
Deer Count
2008*
Deer Count
2007
Deer Count
2006
Deer Count
2005
Deer Count
2004
Deer Count
2003
Deer Count
2002
Deer Count
2001
Deer
County
2000
Deer Count
1999
Deer Count
1998
North of Hwy
20 (9.7 sq. mi.)
Blocks B, C, D,
E, F
226
167
303
210
160
184
163
154
Density by
Year
23.3
17.2
31.2
21.6
16
19
17
15.9
22
22
19
22
North of Hwy
20 (8.9 sq.
miles) Blocks
C,D,E,F
106
141
203
156
121
Density by
Year
11.9
15.8
20.9
12.5
South of Hwy
20 (3.5 sq. mi.)
Blocks G, H, I
84
58
85
62
163
129
107
129
150
112
Density by
Year
24
16.6
25
47.9
38
31
38
44
33
44
46
37
37
South of Hwy
20 (8 sq. mi.)
Blocks G, H, I,
J * *, K
107
123
181
84
147
Density by
Year
13.1
15.4
22.6
10.5
18.3
Deer Count
Totals
213
264
407 (384
w/o B)
240
268
466
30/0
339
267
313
313
266
361
367
308
357
* Boundaries aligned with city limits
** J/K = City limits only