Minutes 01-21-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Changing demographics and differing community perspectives have produced opportunities for deer hunters using dogs and private property owners to clash more frequently; heightened the importance of continuous public risk assessment; and fostered a need to re-evaluate local deer hunting customs. • Representative deer hunters and private property owners are organized and active in stating opinions and objections. The Caldwell Hunting Club, for example, asserts how through a 30 year tradition it has adapted to ensure safe and responsible behavior among its membership and to demonstrate respect for the community by giving back through charitable service. Private property owners cite numerous illustrations and incidents of trespass, rude and intimidating behavior, disturbing the peace, threats to public safety, and general incompatibility with population and property patterns. • Dogging deer has been banned in adjacent Alamance and Durham counties. Dogging deer proponents argue those bans brought unscrupulous hunters from the outside into Orange County who disrespected law and etiquette, and caused crop damage for local farmers due to deer overpopulation. Opponents argue the bans were a result of increased urbanization and community adaptation for safety reasons. • Except in instances of large tracts under single ownership (estimated from 200-1200 acres) , no practical way exists to prevent a deer dog on the hunt from physically crossing property for which there is no permission by the property owner to allow hunting. Neither is there technology available to the hunter to direct or deter the dog during the chase. • Local laws currently available — the required written permission by the owner to hunt on private property (Sheriff's Department) and the nuisance animal control citation (Animal Services) for hunters whose dogs are caught or left behind on private property — are not deemed to provide the "blanket" protection some seek. (Note: Anson, Gate and Moore counties have obtained State approval to compel additional requirements/restrictions about hunting deer with dogs; i.e., requiring the dog to wear a collar identifying the name and address of the owner.) • NC Wildlife Resources officials are short staffed and hard pressed to respond sufficiently to counter or apprehend perceived or actual trespassers. • Law enforcement has found it difficult to precisely quantify the extent of the problem out in the field since situations may arise and dissipate before they arrive on the scene, incidents may simply go unreported, and individuals may be fearful of calling attention to complaints or having to testify in court. • Criticism and objections were directed towards using dogs to hunt deer, not towards using dogs to hunt other wildlife such as rabbits or game birds. • The central deer season with gun hunting allowed in Orange County for 2009 was November 15, 2009 — January 1, 2010. Any regulatory action authorized by the General Assembly for Orange County in 2010 could be implemented and effective no sooner than for the 2010 deer season.