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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-07-2009 - Info Item 1T n formes -~-~ on Z-f-2m MEMORANDUM To: Board of County Commissioners Laura Blackmon, County Manager From: Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager Subject: Citizen Complaints -Hunters "Dogging Deer" Date: March 20, 2009 This memorandum is to apprise the Board on staff efforts that have occurred and/or underway in response to complaints received from the public about hunters who use dogs to hunt deer in the unincorporated areas of the County. Staff is aware of comments and/or a-mail correspondence from citizens in Northern Orange. They are disturbed by deer hunters who: • Live outside the County but lease hunting land in the County • Allow their dogs to run through adjacent private properties and follow behind them, trespassing and disrespecting the property rights of others • Use GPS collars on the dogs, further luring the hunter across private un-leased property On February 16, 2009 the County Manager's Office convened a meeting that included: • Mallory Martin, Forest Orr, and Kenneth Everhart (NC Department of Fish and Wildlife) • Captain Charles Blackwood (Sheriff) • Bob Marotto (Animal Services); • Craig Benedict (Planning) • Annette Moore (Legal) • Laura Blackmon, Gwen Harvey (County Management) The meeting discussion focused on the following points and issues: • Of the 40 service calls to the Sheriffs Department in 2008 regarding hunters, a total of four (4) that dealt with hunters with dogs. • A 2007 Survey of Deer Hunters in NC by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission revealed growing concerns among hunters themselves on the use of dogs. Sixty-four percent (64%) of those responding to the survey agreed that hunting with dogs should not be legal. History, custom and tradition -Orange County is roughly divided in half -south of I-40 hunting deer with dogs is prohibited. This line was drawn in the later `40s through state legislative action. Changing demographics and a more urban dynamic on the northern end of the County now call the heritage of "dogging deer" into question. In 1979 Alamance County received permission to prohibit dogging deer; Durham County received the same in 2001. Protecting public safety -For property owners, neighborhoods, hunters, and the dogs Recognizing the rights of hunters -The responsible ones obtain permissions and leases. Some act responsibly while others do not. "Due process" -The hunters who dog deer and the landowners who lease their land to deer hunters should be included in any dialog about proposed changes to the local animal control ordinance. Legislative approval would be required to further restrict hunting in Orange County -Time would be needed to query the local legislative delegation of their interest/intent. Hunters, hunting clubs, property owners who lease land to hunters who dog deer, citizens with complaints, and other stakeholders would need to be informed and meetings organized. Since the initial meeting staff has taken the following steps: • Received contact information on hunting clubs and hunters who dog deer in Northern Orange • Made a preliminary contact with Representative Faison, a hunter, who along with Senator Kinnaird has also been contacted by constituents on dogging deer • Received feedback from the BOCC Legislative Agenda Committee (Chair Foushee and Commissioner Jacobs) that staff should continue to pursue the process but wait for the 2010 legislative session to propose introducing changes to the law in Orange County • Legal would research the background behind the legislative success in Durham and Alamance Counties • Staff would notify/update citizens on record who have complained to the BOCC • Staff would seek to convene meetings to explore further with the interested parties prior to the deer season for hunters with guns Note: The central deer season in the region that includes Orange County is September 13-November 7(bow and arrow); November 8-14 (muzzle loading); and November 15-January 1 (gun). Please let me know if there are additional questions or suggestions as staff continues its work at the request of the BOCC. Cc: Captain Blackwood .Bob Marotto Annette Moore Craig Benedict