Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
47 <br />legislative leaders and in the discussion teamed several had already been contacted by private <br />property owners. The decision was made to withhold pursuing legislation then in order to <br />provide time and opportunity for dialog among the stakeholders. The BOCC is scheduled to <br />meet with the local delegation on Fekruary 22, 2010. As in the past several years, the BOCC <br />previews its legislative requests with the delegation, schedules a formal hearing to allow public <br />comment on its proposed legislative agenda, and authorizes the County Attorney to draft and <br />submit any proposed legislation to the local sponsors by the required due dates. The BOCC is <br />tentatively scheduled to receive public comment on its proposed legislative agenda on either <br />February 2 or February 16. <br />During fall 2009, Orange County staff held two "listening sessions" to receive input and <br />information from vocal and active representatives on both sides of the issue from northem <br />Orange County. These sessions were supported and assisted by officers from the NC Wildlife <br />Resources Commission (NCWRC). The resulting reports were submitted previously to the <br />BOCC as information items and are again attached here. Staff has also prepared and <br />attached four maps depicting the population density in northern Orange and locations of <br />contiguous acreage arguably considered "optimal" for hunting deer with the aid of dogs. The <br />County Staff Attomey has also provided the attached report on means within the County <br />control of addressing the issue locally. <br />A summary of findings and conclusions from the two listening sessions are provided <br />below: <br />Changing demographics .and differing community perspectives have produced <br />opportunities for deer hunters using dogs and private properly owners to clash more <br />frequently; heightened the importance of continuous public risk assessment; and <br />fostered a need to re-evaluate local deer hunting customs. <br />Representative deer hunters and private property owners are organized and. active in <br />stating opinions and objections. The Caldwell• Hunting Club, for example, asserts how <br />through a 30 year tradition it has adapted to ensure safe and responsible behavior <br />among its membership and to demonstrate respect for the community by giving back <br />through charitable service. Private property owners cite numerous illustrations and <br />incidents of trespass, rude and intimidating behavior, disturbing the peace, threats to <br />public safety, and general incompatibility with population and property patterns. <br />Dogging deer has been banned in adjacent Alamance and Durham counties. Dogging <br />deer proponents argue those bans brought unscrupulous hunters from the outside into <br />Orange County who disrespected law and etiquette, and caused crop damage for local <br />farmers due to deer overpopulation. Opponents argue. the .bans were a result of <br />increased urbanization and community adaptation for safety reasons. <br />^ Except in instances of large tracts under single ownership (estimated from 200-1200 <br />acres) no practical way exists to prevent a deer dog on the hunt from physically <br />crossing property for which there is no permission by the property owner to allow hunting. <br />Neither is there technology available to the hunter to direct or deter the dog during the <br />chase. <br />^ Local laws currently available -the required written permission by the owner to hunt on <br />private property (Sheriff's Department) and the nuisance animal control citation (Animal <br />