Urban Deer Management Plan 2014-2015THE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2014-2015 Deer Management Plan
DATE: April 15, 2014
Dubuque
band
AI -America City
r
2007 • 2012 • 2013
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan is recommending City Council approval of
the 2014-2015 Urban Deer Management Plan.
The "any sex tag" incentive has changed slightly due to Iowa Department of Natural
Resources now selling these incentive tags through their Electronic License System in
Iowa (ELSI), as opposed to being sold at the Health Services Department. Because of
this change, no midseason incentive or lottery will take place, since all incentive tag
eligible hunters must be listed in ELSI prior to the start of the season. Hunters will
qualify for an any sex incentive tag (for the next year's season) by harvesting a
minimum of three deer over the course of the one season, and checking their deer in at
Fire Headquarters, and through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources harvest
reporting system. Therefore, there will not be a limit on the number of hunters qualifying
for any -sex incentive tags. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
reviewed and approved the plan and this change at their April 8, 2014 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. 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.
bt/1144 ct.,
Mic ael 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
CITY OFF
DUB1UE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: 2014-2015 Deer Management Plan
DATE: April 14, 2014
Dubuque
tied
All -America City
2007
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides a report of the 2013-20134 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 bi-annual aerial surveys and consultation.
DISCUSSION
No aerial survey was conducted this year since we now do them biannually. The last
survey was February 4, 2013. The results of the hunt, along with the previous years'
results are attached. Comparisons of actual deer counted and hunt results indicate a
stabilizing population
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 $700 for the total program last season, not
including staff time.
During this year's season, there were 75 permitted bow hunters inside the city limits,
and they harvested a total of 100 deer, a decrease of six deer from last year.
Of the urban deer managed bow hunts in Iowa, Dubuque continues to be one of the most
successful. Greg Harris, Wildlife Biologist with the IDNR, stated this is partially due to the
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, this year's hunt went very smoothly.
Attached is the City of Dubuque Deer Management Plan for the 2014-2015 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. The "any sex tag" incentive has changed slightly due to IDNR
now selling these incentive tags through their Electronic License System in Iowa (ELSI), as
opposed to being sold at the Health Services Department. Because of this change, no mid-
season incentive or lottery will take place, since all incentive tag eligible hunters must be listed
in ELSI prior to the start of the season. Hunters will qualify for an any sex incentive tag (for the
next year's season) by harvesting a minimum of three deer over the course of the one season,
and checking their deer in at Fire Headquarters, and through the IDNR harvest reporting
system. Therefore, there will not be a limit on the number of hunters qualifying for any -sex
incentive tags. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission reviewed and approved
the plan and this change at their April 8, 2014 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 2013-14 urban deer
management program and approve the attached plan for the 2014-2015 hunting
season. The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission also recommends
approving the plan.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Approve the attached urban deer management plan for the 2014-2015 season.
MRC/cj
cc: Mike Buelow, 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
2014-2015 Season
Prepared by: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
&
City Health and Leisure Services Departments
The City of Dubuque's sixteenth urban deer management season ended January 19,
2014. 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 now, conducted
every other year, was not done this year. It is assumed that each year the population of
deer increases by approximately 30% (without any control.) A total of 100 deer were
harvested in the city. The City is requesting a total of 400 deer tags from the IDNR for
the 2014-2015 season. This amount of tags has not sold out in previous years.
Nineteen any -sex tags were allotted through the incentive program. Six hunters earned
any sex tags and an additional four hunters received any sex tags through a lottery
system. Also, six hunters earned any sex tags and an additional three hunters received
any sex tags through a lottery system from the second half of the 2013-2014 season.
One coyote was harvested.
The following goals are recommended for the 2014-2015 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 2014-2015 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
13, 2014, and end with the regular Iowa deer seasons, January 10, 2015.
• 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:
•3 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 hunters who harvest a minimum of three (3) does by the end of the season will be
eligible to purchase a dedicated either sex license for the following hunting season.
Button buck, spike buck or other unantlered male deer classified as antlerless do not
qualify for the incentive licenses, only female deer.
Additional incentives: Hunters who harvest an adult doe will be eligible for a $13.00
reimbursement for the cost of their second deer tag. Reimbursement will be automatic
and taken from the check-in sheet at Fire Headquarters.
Coyote Incentive: For each coyote harvested, the hunter will receive reimbursement for
a deer license tag (Tag # must be provided on sign in sheet at Fire Headquarters),
including the first $28 tag. Hunters must harvest coyote with a bow and it must be
checked in at Fire Headquarters, similarly to deer. Coyotes must be checked on check-
in sheet, including Zone harvested in, at Fire Headquarters in order to receive
automatic reimbursement.
Summary of Incentives
Names of all hunters qualifying for an incentive license will be provided to the wildlife
depredation biologist, by the hunt administrator, for harvest registration compliance and
so that name can be entered into ELSI for purchase by those individuals. These
incentive licenses will cost $28.50. ELSI issued any deer incentive licenses will be
considered legal licenses from the opening date to the closing date of each respective
deer management zone hunt.
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 the City's Health
and Leisure Services Department staff with the assistance from the Fire Department
and the 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. In
addition, hunters must register their deer harvest with IDNR by any of the following
three options:
1) The online harvest reporting system at www.iowadnr.gov available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
2) The telephone harvest is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the toll free
number is printed on the antlerless license.
3) Hunters may report through an ELSI license vendor during business hours.
Female deer which aren't checked both through the check station and reported to IDNR
will not be considered eligible to count towards qualifying for any deer incentive
licenses. All deer harvested in a deer management zone hunt must be sight checked
and reported to IDNR.
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.
DUBUQUE MANAGED DEER HUNTS
Inside City Limits
(Archery Only)
2013-
2014
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
75
77
69
71
84
76
71
63
62
86
89
97
117
96
66
59
Licenses sold
163
169
164
142
174
164
194
166
133
255
170
218
289
253
150
122
Deer harvested
100
106
110
92
111
105
110
118
80
98
90
137
156
124
106
74
Success rate
62%
62%
67%
64%
64%
64%
56%
71%
60%
38%
53%
63%
54%
49%
71%
61%
Total Harvest
100
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
370
339
267
313
313
266
361
367
308
357
* Boundaries aligned with city limits
** J/K = City limits only