Appointed Committees

Nuisance Animal Ad Hoc Committee November 1, 2017 Page 1 Committee Members Present: Josh Wolsky, Chief Olson, Mike Ruelle, Dwayne Walz, Chuck Emery, Greg Gullickson (Sat in for Jeb Williams for the Game and Fish Department) Members Absent None Chairman Wolsky brought the meeting to order at 12:30 pm. Approval of Minutes Mr. Ruelle moved the committee approve the minutes of the October 4, 2017 committee meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Walz and carried unanimously. Feeding Ordinance Review & Discussion The committee looked over the drafted ordinance presented from the City Attorney. Mr. Gullickson said, he would like to see the definition of bait added, similar to the wording in the Game and Fish 2017 North Dakota Deer Hunting Guide. “Baits include but are not limited to grains, minerals, salts, fruits, vegetables, hay, or any other natural or manufactured foods.” Mr. Ruelle made a motion to add a definition for bait/baiting in accordance with the North Dakota Game and Fish definition to the Sec. 7-17 Feeding Certain Animals Prohibited ordinance draft. Motion seconded by Mr. Emery and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Wolsky, Gullickson, Olson, Ruelle, Walz, Emery. Nays: none. The Committee discussed educating the public about the ordinance, to let them know that feeding wild animals hurt them and is no longer allowed. Mr. Ruelle made a motion to recommend the City Council launch a public information campaign on the negative effects of feeding animals, at time of passing Sec 7- 17 Feeding Certain Animals Prohibited. Motion seconded by Mr. Emery and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Wolsky, Gullickson, Olson, Ruelle, Walz, Emery. Nays: none. The committee feels this ordinance will address the issue of feeding animals. Discussion of Wildlife Management Program The committee discussed what they would like to see in a potential wildlife management program. Mr. Gullickson commented, because this committee is trying to manage wildlife, rather than allow open hunting, the committee may need to look at whether they want to implement a program now or in the future and to look at when and where this program would be appropriate. Mr. Emery stated, if a program like Fargo is not usable in Minot, the option of where wildlife management is needed should be up to the Police Chief. Alderman Wolsky added, the committee could look at setting parameters for Chief Olson to consider and let it be a judgement call. Mr. Gullickson suggested, if a complaint were made in the city, to allow individuals a tag to hunt in the area of the complaint as long as the Police Chief authorizes the area as a safe place to bow hunt. The Nuisance Animal Ad Hoc Committee November 1, 2017 Page 2 concept was described as follows: a resident calls with complaint, the Police Chief is contacted with specific area information. If the Police Chief finds the area safe for hunting, the bow hunter would receive a letter from the City with authorization for a tag for that specific area. The committee also discussed having reels for the arrows as they do for fishing in order to control the arrow from not going so far. The committee discussed some of the requirements that would need to be considered. The City would only be allowed to issue doe permits. Each bow hunter would have to complete a training program. The bow hunter would have to have permission from landowners. The committee considered situations where the complainant does not hunt, and decided the City could pair up this person with a listed bow hunter that is interested as long as all requirements and safety concerns are met. Chief Olson questioned the safety of bow hunting in town due to limited areas that are large enough and at safe distances from residents, whether public or private land. Mr. Gullickson said, so far there are no known incidents with bow hunting in the Fargo or Bismarck program. Chief Olson said he is more concerned with residents practicing with a target in their backyards than a hunter taking one shot for a deer. The committee discussed how they would determine how many City deer tags would be possible and needed for wildlife management to start out. Mr. Walz suggested the Animal Control officer could determine how many deer need to be removed. Mr. Gullickson recommended with the approximate count of deer so far in Minot that 50 deer tags would be a good number to start with for doe hunting in town. Chief Olson asked what would happen if a deer ran out of the area of hunting after it was shot. He wondered if the hunter could retrieve the deer from outside the hunting area as long as the bow is left behind in the area of hunting. Mr. Gullickson said, it would be the same rules as shooting on private land in the countryside. You would need to notify the adjacent neighbor you need to retrieve the deer. The committee discussed with Chief Olson if he thought this would be a good idea to put the responsibility in the Police Department’s jurisdiction on if bow hunting would be allowed in the city on specific case-by-case incidents for wildlife management purposes only. The committee thinks the Police Department would be best because they know the areas and dangers better. Mr. Gullickson noted, the tags would have to be city specific tags to keep the hunting to does only. These tags will also be over and above what the Game and Fish issues for regular hunting season. Upon questioning from Mr. Wolsky, Chief Olson said, he sees a problem drawing lines between what lots are allowed and safe, especially if the lot next door is similar but is not allowed for bow hunting. Mr. Wolsky summarized what the Committee has so far for requirements and concerns to consider: does only, no bucks; set an allowable number of permits based on measurable incidents; concerns of adjacent property owners; public safety concerns, can it be done in a safe manner; training and certified programs required; visibility, size, shot angle and terrain of the land (need a good back stop); property owner approval; competency test; and proximity to nuisance calls and car collisions. The committee discussed harvesting, how to handle situation if a deer leaves the hunting area, and the procedure to retrieve the doe. It was suggested that an ordinance could be written to allow people to retrieve a deer if it goes outside of the area after it is shot. It was discussed that field dressing would be prohibited and the hunter would have to take it home to clean the deer. The committee debated if a cone or flag should be set up when hunting is in progress but Mr. Gullickson did not see that as necessary, especially considering where you would put it so everyone could see. Mr. Walz questioned, if this program was to move forward, would there need to be a special season or would the City follow the Game and Fish hunting season. Mr. Gullickson stated the City could adjust the hunting season as some cities have extended into January. However, a change outside of the normal season would need to be approved by the Governor. Mr. Gullickson said, currently with the regular tags Nuisance Animal Ad Hoc Committee November 1, 2017 Page 3 from Game and Fish, hunters are in town for both does and bucks. They have been doing this for years with no one being injured. There have been a few calls from residents who found a dead deer that was shot with a bow that the hunter had lost and was unable to retrieve. However, with the new ordinance going on second reading at the next City Council meeting they will no longer be able to use the regular season tags in town. The committee raised the idea that if this is done, one can only shoot in town with a City tag, not like it has been done with the regular Game and Fish tag that can be used for does or bucks. Chief Olson questioned if it were to be used for herd reduction only, should they allow the regular season permits to have permission to keep hunting in the city as well if they are already doing it safely for either doe or buck. Of course, they would have to have City permission. Mr. Gullickson raised the point that herd reduction of does is what cuts down the herd numbers. Upon questioning from Mr. Emery, Mr. Gullickson stated, Bismarck and Fargo allow buck hunting the last two weeks in January of their season because bucks shed their antlers and it is harder to tell if it is a buck or doe. Chief Olson suggested Animal Control could keep a spreadsheet of people wanting deer taken care of on their property and could pair them up with a certified bow hunter. Mr. Gullickson said he would have to verify how a City tag is given out, if through the Police Department or if it arrives through mail from the Game and Fish upon approval from the City. Mr. Gullickson reiterated that deer and turkey are currently harvested without complaints and have been done safely in town during hunting season. Mr. Wolsky said he would work from his notes to put a framework together so the committee could meet one more time to discuss this option. The committee decided, turkeys would follow the exact same procedure, except for the number of tags permitted. Mr. Gullickson asked the committee for thoughts about fencing for Rainbow Gardens, allowing them to have a permanent fence, with their lease, to be put up around the entire Garden. Mr. Emery wondered if Community Facility funds could be requested in addition to a possible $100.00 charge per gardener towards the cost of the fence. Mr. Emery moved to recommend the City Council explore a partnership with Rainbow Gardens to share the cost and discuss the potential use of any Community Facility funds leftover to install permanent fencing at Rainbow Gardens. Motion seconded by Mr. Ruelle and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Wolsky, Gullickson, Olson, Ruelle, Walz, Emery. Nays: none. Public Input The audience mentioned concerns of putting children at risk, who perhaps play in areas that would allow hunting. Mr. Gullickson mentioned liability of hunting is covered through the century code. An idea of having a public vote for people’s opinion on the matter was suggested. One member of the audience said she would like to see clarification of where shooting is allowed. The public does not want to see people shooting deer from the street onto a property that has been approved for hunting. Chief Olson confirmed that he does not foresee bow hunting as being allowed from the street, and said that it will be defined. Mr. Wolsky asked everyone who spoke to bring his or her thoughts to the City Council when it is presented. Adjournment The next committee meeting will be November 15, 2017 at 12:30pm. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:48 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Lacey McCarten Administrative Clerk