Board of Directors Communication TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM: BRUCE T. MOORE, CITY MANAGERS ——___ SUBJECT: ADDRESSING THE DEER POPULATION IN LITTLE ROCK DATE: JUNE 14, 2019 The request was made at the April 30, 2019, Board of Directors Agenda Meeting for staff to contact the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) regarding the deer situation in Little Rock. According to staff, AGFC recognizes that each city or municipality varies greatly in regards to its population, demographics, land-use patterns, and to the acceptance of Urban Deer Management. The AGFC is happy to assist any city or municipality experiencing deer-related issues: however, ultimately, each city must decide which option will best fit their specific needs. The AGFC's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) protocol (Level 1A pertains to Urban Deer Management); and AGFC's Urban Deer Hunt Program protocol. At this time, the cities of Mammoth Springs and Gilbert participate in the DMAP Program, as well as the properties of Highland Park (Rogers), Diamond Head (Hot Springs), and the Walton family properties (Bentonville) The cities of Cherokee Village, Heber Springs, Hot Springs Village, Horseshoe Bend, Bull Shoals, Lakeview, Russeliville and Fairfield Bay all participate in the formal Urban Deer Hunt Program. According to staff, there are three (3) options available for managing urban deer: > Option 1: The City would simply address any applicable ordinances which restrict the discharge of archery equipment within the City Limits. By allowing the discharge of archery equipment, hunters would be allowed to harvest deer in accordance with the surrounding deer zone's bag limits and seasonal framework. These deer would be considered a part of the hunter's zone and Statewide bag limit. > Option 2: The City would enroll in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) Level 1A. By doing so, the City would in essence become a ‘hunting club", and would receive a set number of DMAP Tags, choose who could participate in the urban hunt, issue bonus City of Little Rock, Arkansastags to hunters that they have chosen to participate and then decide on the duration of the hunt within already established statewide, seasonal framework (For example: a city may restrict their hunt to the months of November and December only). An AGFC Biologist would construct a Management Plan for the City prior to the start of the hunt and define what the DMAP Tags could be used for (ie. does and/or bucks). DMAP Tags are strictly restricted for use within the City Limits of the participating city, and their use is defined by the AGFC Management Plan. In accordance with the approved Management Plan, all deer tagged utilizing the provided DMAP Tags would be considered bonus deer and would not count towards the hunter's zone or Statewide bag limit. Deadline to enroll: None > Option 3: The City would enroll in the AGFC’s Urban Deer Hunt Program, which is a Cooperative Agreement between the City, the AGFC, and the Arkansas Bowhunter's Association (ABA). Under this, program, bow hunters are required to complete the International Bowhunting Education Program (IBEP) Course, pass a shooting proficiency exam attend an Urban Deer Hunt Orientation and pay fifty dollars ($50.00), which will cover the city and hunter under a Liability Insurance Policy. Under this format, a qualified archer would be able to participate in any Arkansas city enrolled in the Urban Deer Hunt Program for that year. All qualified hunters would be required to display an issued dash placard and are issued specific Urban Deer Tags for each city that they are wishing to participate in. Under the Urban Deer Hunt Program there would be no antler point restrictions, bag limits are unlimited and the first deer harvested by each hunter must be a doe and must be donated to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH) Program. Deadline to enroll: May 15" Alll three (3) options outlined above have aspects which may be considered positive and negative. However, an important point to remember is that if a city truly wishes to reduce deer impacts within their city limits by reducing deer density, then the option which is going to provide the greatest potential for deer harvest should be utilized Mr. Ralph Meeks, Deer Program Coordinator, has offered to make a presentation to the Board of Directors to answer any questions and assist the City in determining the best option for Little Rock should it be desired. If additional information is needed, please advise.