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• Of the 40 service calls to the Sheriffs Department in 2008 <br />regarding hunters, a total of four (4) that dealt with hunters with <br />dogs. <br />• A 2007 Survey of Deer Hunters in NC by the NC Wildlife Resources <br />Commission revealed growing concerns among hunters <br />themselves on the use of dogs. Sixty-four percent (64%) of those <br />responding to the survey agreed that hunting with dogs should not <br />be legal. <br />History, custom and tradition -Orange County is roughly divided in half <br />-south of I-40 hunting deer with dogs is prohibited. This line was drawn <br />in the later `40s through state legislative action. Changing demographics <br />and a more urban dynamic on the northern end of the County now call the <br />heritage of "dogging deer" into question. In 1979 Alamance County <br />received permission to prohibit dogging deer; Durham County received the <br />same in 2001. <br />Protecting public safety -For property owners, neighborhoods, hunters, <br />and the dogs <br />Recognizing the rights of hunters -The responsible ones obtain <br />permissions and leases. Some act responsibly while others do not. <br />"Due process" -The hunters who dog deer and the landowners who <br />lease their land to deer hunters should be included in any dialog about <br />proposed changes to the local animal control ordinance. <br />Legislative approval would be required to further restrict hunting in <br />Orange County -Time would be needed to query the local legislative <br />delegation of their interest/intent. Hunters, hunting clubs, property owners <br />who lease land to hunters who dog deer, citizens with complaints, and <br />other stakeholders would need to be informed and meetings organized. <br />Since the initial meeting staff has taken the following steps: <br />• Received contact information on hunting clubs and hunters who <br />dog deer in Northern Orange <br />• Made a preliminary contact with Representative Faison, a hunter, <br />who along with Senator Kinnaird has also been contacted by <br />constituents on dogging deer <br />• Received feedback from the BOCC Legislative Agenda Committee <br />(Chair Foushee and Commissioner Jacobs) that staff should <br />