Agenda - 12-15-2009 - Information Item 4

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n-Fo~ma -~' ion =~ em MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners Frank W. Clifton, County Manager FROM: Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager SUBJECT: Hunters "Dogging Deer"- Feedback from Concerned Private Property Owners DATE: December 9, 2009 This memorandum is the second information update on staff efforts pertaining to hunters who use dogs to hunt deer in the unincorporated areas of the County. The first information update was provided to the BOCC at its meeting on November 17, 2009 and conveyed findings from a meeting convened by County Management, Animal Services, County, the Sheriffs Department, and NC Wildlife Resources on November 4th with representatives of the hunting community. A similar meeting was held on December 8th involving concerned property owners to receive their input and ideas on the practice of "dogging deer". Attachment 1 is a summary of the meeting for BOCC review and reference. The "bottom line" for the private property owners participating in the discussion was the principles of property rights and public safety driven by increasing population density in the northern part of the County. They strongly urged the BOCC to consider seeking legislative authorization to prohibit "dogging deer" north of I-40. Regardless of whether hunters acted responsibly, they asserted the days of deer hunting with dogs were gone as a result of increased population density and overall reduction in sizable acreage. They also felt that northern Orange shouldn't stand out in the midst of its neighboring counties -Durham (2001) and Alamance (1979) have already banned the practice and it was indicated Person and Caswell are receiving complaints and having discussions regarding dog hunting deer as well. The County Attorney's Office has been asked to research existing and/or proposed local legislation the BOCC might seek authorization to establish, and to advise on whether anything might be done immediately while the BOCC considers formal action and the legislature convenes in 2010 to consider any local requests. Planning has also been asked as additional background to provide maps detailing density and contiguous acreage as suggested at the private property owner meeting.