Urban Wildlife Management Task Force

Minutes ADLC Urban Wildlife Management Task Force Hearst Free Library December 4, 2024 6:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Kurt Wyant, Commissioner Ed Beaudette, Chuck Stokke, Chad Gochanour, Rick Morse ABSENT George Kortum, Chris Marchion, Fred Boyer, Chief Bill Sather MEMBERS OF THE PRESS Nikki Johnson MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Per Sign in Sheet CALL TO ORDER Kurt Wyant called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 22, 2024 Discussion was had in regard to voting members; specifically, Commissioner Beaudette. It was recommended to look at the Ordinance for confirmation. Minutes were not approved due to a lack of members present. OPENING COMMENTS Chairman Wyant suggested that we postpone the meeting for lack of participants. Only five members of the board are present and no representatives from FWP. 1|Page Urban Wildlife Management Task Force Minutes December 4, 2024 DISCUSSION Clerks Note: No agenda items were discussed and voted on at this time due to lack of participation. An audience member suggested that we need an updated report from FWP as to the change in the deer population over the last few months before doing a final report. Commissioner Beaudette stated that he thinks the deer population has decreased, and he hasn’t seen as many people feeding the deer. Discussion was had in regard to the deer also getting into garbage cans, not just the bears. Discussion continued to the various bear issues throughout different areas of the community. Late hibernation of the bears was mentioned as a potential reason for continued problems. Discussion regarding the next meeting date took place. It was determined that we would try to schedule the next meeting for January 6, 2025, at the courthouse. Board members requested a report from Law Enforcement in regard to the enforcement of feeding the deer. A report from FWP was also requested. Kirstie Yeager from FWP entered the meeting late. She stated that bear-proof bins for Washoe Park have been purchased and we are waiting for them to be delivered. Discussion was had in regard to getting an accurate count of deer that are still in town. Kirstie will try to facilitate this and thinks they can get this done before the next meeting. Kirstie Yeager requested information on our plans to control the deer population. It was discussed that the county should focus on educating the public, enforce the laws, assess the need to cull deer populations, form a plan to address wildlife issues in the future, and bear proof trash cans. It was also suggested that damage hunts be increased in some areas to control population. The county needs to adopt a Wildlife Management Plan. Many items were discussed including, shorter hunting season, unsafe damage hunts, permits, culling the deer and urban deer control. It was determined that further discussion with FWP was required to draft a wildlife plan. Final discussions determined the next meeting date will be January 6, 2025, tentatively at the courthouse. ADJOURNMENT Meeting Adjourned at 6:42 p.m. 2|Page Urban Wildlife Management Task Force Minutes December 4, 2024