The Ames Urban Deer Task Force will hold an open house on Wednesday, August 1st, per the article below. I've been told there's a possibility that many attendees will oppose lethal deer control. For anyone who's concerned about the ecological impacts of Story County's deer population, the open house is an opportunity to express opinions.

My own bias -- I don't have a strong opinion about whether deer should be managed via hunting or hired sharpshooting (as has been done in Johnson County). But with deer densities in Story County well above sustainable levels, I think it's vital that realistic measures be decided on and implemented, and that the City of Ames be part of the solution.

As a landowner, I've found out it does little good to allow hunting on land near Ames if the deer move elsewhere during hunting season. And I don't think the City of Ames should have to fund research on deer impacts on local natural areas before taking action, as some have suggested. That kind of research has already been done.

Thanks for reading this. I hope to attend and bring copies of a scary BIOSCIENCE article called "A Plague of Deer."

Cindy Hildebrand

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Deer task force to host open house

By: Luke Jennett

07/27/2007

The Urban Deer Task Force wants input from Ames residents about what to do with the city's burgeoning deer herd.

The task force will host an open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, in the Ames Public Library Auditorium. The event won't feature any formal presentations, Ames Police Chief Chuck Cychosz said, but the task force's recommendations to the Ames City Council will be reviewed in hopes of gleaning input from Ames residents.

Last year, an initial effort by the city to introduce bow hunting in urban areas to thin out the deer population was met with some disinterest among hunters; only seven licenses were issued, and only three deer were harvested.

But the program was successful in establishing a system to confront the problem, Cychosz said.

"Frankly, what we have been trying to do is to get some experience toward coming up with a large-scale program," he said.

The program in 2006 was met with contention by some residents who were either opposed to hunting in general, or who were worried about hunting being allowed in urban areas. This year, Cychosz said, the task force has modified its recommendations to accommodate some of the issues raised last year.

"We know people are interested in this topic, and we're looking for their input," he said. "We're looking forward to having a conversation with them about how to make this work."

The Urban Deer Task Force's report is available online as part of the City Council's packet for the July 24 meeting.

Luke Jennett can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 343, or [log in to unmask]

Urban Deer Task Force management strategies

Among 10 management strategies suggested by the Urban Deer Task Force for the coming year are:

* Continue to allow qualified bow hunters to hunt within the city, with the added addendum that the distance between the stands and any maintained roads, recreation trails or organized activity sites be decreased from 85 feet to 75 feet.

* Ask the Ames City Council to enact a ban on the feeding of deer.

* Provide public education safety programs regarding the animals, impact on natural habitats, deterrents, plantings, motor vehicle safety and deer hot spots.

* Consider an incentive program to increase the number of deer harvested in the city.

* Consider closing a specific city park for a short period of time (up to seven days) to allow only hunters in the park.

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