Agenda - 12-15-2009 - Information Item 4

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26)People live in the county now who didn't grow up here and don't feel they're getting a fair shake on this subject 27)The "still" hunters (who use deer blinds, walking, etc.) don't like it either 28)Landowners don't want to be the ones pointing the finger; don't want to make their neighbors mad 29)Not about hunting in general - it's a property rights issue, a safety issue 30)Dogs may or may not have an ID collar 31)Don't want to interfere with ALL dog hunting in the county, e.g., rabbit, raccoon and fowl. 32)Why did the BOCC prohibit it in just one section of the County and stop? NOTE: The Sheriff shared his recollection that this took place in the late 40s - a ban on dogging deer south of I-85 given population density and concerns from the towns and university. The north side was left alone perhaps because of tradition and out of neighborliness. Options/Opportunities Suggested by Private Property Owners 1) Stop hunting w/dogs {best option} or implement some other rules to motivate hunters to stay on their own property 2) If a dog is on another's property w/o permission -then the owner could capture the dog and hold them for Animal Control where the owners will be fined 3) Hefty fine outright to have a dog on someone else's property -hard to enforce 4) Stricter trespassing fines for dogs caught trespassing -hard to enforce 5) Tougher penalties for hunters who allow their dogs to cross properties without permission to hunt -hard to enforce NOTE: Animal Services advises to contact Animal Control and file a nuisance complaint under existing regulations, prompting action against the dog owner. Dogs at large off property constitute a public nuisance. 6) Change regulations to stop deer hunting with dogs in northern Orange County 7) Alamance and Durham Counties have already outlawed this practice - Why isn't Orange County more progressive in this area? 8) Hunters need to take this issue more seriously and assist in policing themselves - as this may be true in different degrees with different clubs 9) NC Wildlife Resources Commissioners have been discussing alternatives to deal w/issue statewide 10)Maybe things would be settled if the law were changed 11)May not be possible to reach a compromise under northern Orange County conditions 12)Hunting in general can continue in a civilized manner 13)The BOCC should listen to both sides and make a decision 14)Walking deer drive - 30 hunters could cover 100 acres on a Saturday and kill more deer; you can't kill more deer with dogs 15)Is there a way to temporarily stop or suspend it while the BOCC studies it?