Thursday, November 18, 2010

Deer Survey presentation to City Council PHHS committee

The Public Health and Human Services Committee heard a presentation from the city's consultant on the deer population in Northwest Austin. The 27 minute presentation is on the city's website at:
http://austintx.swagit.com/player.php?refid=11162010-45

Agenda Item:
Receive Staff Update regarding deer survey. (David Lurie, Director, Health & Human Services Department, and Shannon Jones, Assistant Director of Public Health and Keith Olenick, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Plateau Land and Wildlife Management)
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City consultant recommends killing deer in NW Austin

KXAN coverage of city consultant recommendation to kill deer in NW Austin
watch video news coverage here:
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/deer-study-in-northwest-austin

Deer study in Northwest Austin
Lethal measures to control population recommended
Updated: Wednesday, 17 Nov 2010, 10:22 PM CST
Published : Wednesday, 17 Nov 2010, 10:14 PM CST

Doug Shupe
AUSTIN (KXAN) -
The deer population in Austin's Northwest Hills neighborhood is at a "crisis state," according to a newly released report prepared for the City of Austin Health Department.

A consultant company called Plateau Land and Wildlife Management conducted the research in the 78731 zipcode. The survey found about 400 deer living in an area suitable for about 100 and recommended drastically reducing the population.


Some residents say growth and new development have forced deer into their yards because they have nowhere else to go. But some blame people for feeding the deer despite a city ban on it.

"I like to see them in the neighborhood," said Charlotte Flynn.

Flynn has lived in the 7800 block of West Rim for 40 years. Watching the deer at dark reminds her of the times she fed them with her husband before he died.


"It was just part of our evening. After he got sick it was always his joy, if he was well enough, to come out and watch me feed the deer," said Flynn.

But increased populations of people and deer have led to growing concerns about deer and vehicle collisions, confrontations with people or pets, economic damage to vehicles and landscaping, and health issues like Lyme Disease.


"They're a nuisance here absolutely a nuisance," said resident William Deginder.

Deginder says deer populations have exploded since he moved to the neighborhood in the early 80's


"The longer I stay the more I see," he said.

So the city asked for a deer study in Northwest Hills. Once complete, it found very high deer populations and recommended reducing deer density through two lethal methods--trap, transport and process to donate their meat or the use of sharpshooters in larger, open space areas.

The report did not recommend the non-lethal method of capture and release. There's mixed feelings about the report's recommendations and also a difference of opinion on whether the deer population should be lowered at all.


"Something has to be done," said Deginder.

"I think we're missing a wonderful opportunity to share nature," said Flynn.


The city has not made a decision yet on what to do about the deer. The Northwest Austin Civic Association will call a special meeting on November 29th and eventually vote on a recommendation to present to the city.

City considering sharpshooting or trapping deer in Northwest Austin

KVUE news coverage of sharpshooting deer in Northwest Austin (watch video here):
http://www.kvue.com/home/To-shoot-or-not-to-shoot-controlling--108792884.html

Text of news story on KVUE website:

by ANDREW HORANSKY/ KVUE News
kvue.com
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 6:36 PM

A local consulting firm called Plateau Land and Wildlife Management recently conducted a census in Northwest Hills. It was not a count of people, but of deer.

“We found that we have a severe population problem there,” said Plateau President David Braun. “There are four times as many deer as is natural.”

Funded by the City of Austin at a cost of $7,500, Plateau counted about 400 deer, and recommended removing up to 300 of them. The firm then presented two options for controlling the population: trapping the deer, or using sharpshooters.

In trapping, huge nets surround the deer and can catch more than one at a time. The process, however, can traumatize the animal. Braun says sharpshooting is not only quicker, but possibly cheaper.

“I think people instinctively want to find the safest way, the most humane way,” Braun said. “Until they have studied it, they cannot imagine that this is going to be the conclusion.”

In the meantime, some residents say the deer problem has never been worse. They have gobbled up plants and caused countless accidents, and yet not everyone can agree on sharpshooters.

“I understand why some people may think it’s a good idea; we have too many deer around here,” Alexandra Evans says. “But, having kids, I just think the idea is pretty scary.”

The neighborhood association will ultimately vote on using traps versus sharpshooters.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Notes from October 20 Rescue Committee Meeting

The November meeting of the Rescue Committee created by the March 2010 No Kill Resolution will be on Wednesday, November 17 at 6:30 pm at the Town Lake Animal Center. The notes from the last meeting are below:

Rescue Committee October 20, 2010
Actions/decisions

Notetaking: Kathleen Hamilton

Meeting frequency: Decision: Confirmed the 3rd Wednesday of each month as the standing meeting date for the committee.

Rolling 24 month calendar: Action: Send to Brad Beam brad.beam@gmail.com information on animal related events that should be included on the calendar, which is being developed by the Public Awareness Committee.

Donation Funds: Awaiting reply to Brad’s email to the AAC asking for clarification on process for finalizing decisions on Donations Funds. Actions: When reply received from AAC, committee will formulate a recommendation concerning what percentage of funds from the Emergency Care $30,000 balance should be used for heartworm treatment.

Homeless Pets Need You flyer: Action: Send recommendations for changes to Adette Quintana, Public Awareness Committee; adettesark@yahoo.com

Shelter Walker Function: Actions: Send input on what info rescuers might want from this activity to Kathleen Hamilton zenhamk@aol.com, who will compile it. Contact Kathryn Sharp if you want to try out this activity to see how it might work. Kathleen will also talk with Joanna Johnson, TLAC volunteer coordinator, to see whether this job function might be included in potential jobs offered to TLAC volunteers. Idea left on table: Contact Triple Crown Academy to explore requiring people going through their program to have to spend certain amount of time performing the shelter walker function.

Creation of subcommittees to carry out work of the Rescue Committee: Actions Co-chairs will develop proposals for the subcommittees which might be established. Subcommittee on recruiting rescues created (Brad, Pat, Meghan, Nancy). Contact Brad brad.beam@gmail.com if you wish to participate on this committee.

Placement Partner Guidelines: Action: Establishment of Placement Guidelines Subcommittee (Christy, Toni, Marnie, Cheryl, Kathy, Julia). Contact Julia julia_jad@hotmail.com if you wish to serve on this subcommittee. Ideas left on table: Start with fosters who become rescues. Survey the rescues participating with TLAC and those not participating to see what their objections to the placement guidelines are (and what they like). Have presentations made by current partners to help people understand what is involved in being a rescue. Create incentives for being a rescue partner.