Cape to further study best way to manage deer

A no-feed ordinance, more signs in heavy crossing areas and making certain exceptions to fencing restrictions. The Cape Girardeau City Council reached a consensus Monday night on these suggestions by a city committee to help curb problems caused by the growing number of deer in the city limits.

But letting residents use bow and arrows to hunt deer on private property? There seemed to be little agreement on that. At least not yet.

After two hours of listening to both sides make impassioned cases at its Monday night meeting, the council directed city manager Scott Meyer to prepare reports over the next few weeks on implementing an ordinance that would prohibit feeding the deer, an increase in deer-crossing signs and allowing certain exceptions to fencing requirements so some can better protect their property.

But the discussion left the picture no clearer about whether a regulated urban deer hunt would be allowed on private property -- several stressed it would require the permission of property owners -- as early as this fall.

Instead, Meyer was directed to begin developing a deer management program with the guidance of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Meyer said that task would probably take the longest, but he hoped to have a report back at an upcoming study session.

The council as a whole also agreed that a count of the deer needs to be done this fall, but for information purposes, and several added that it didn't mean there wouldn't be some type of program in place before that is done. Most council members also agreed there are too many deer in the city limits and that a count would be used to determine how many deer would be harvested as part of a program.

Mayor Harry Rediger was the first to make a suggestion, which he labeled "a test and compromise." His proposal was to charge staff with organizing and locating one area for a test area for deer hunting this fall. Then that first season could be used to evaluate how to expand the program, while taking into consideration any concerns.

Councilwoman Kathy Swan countered that she did not favor implementing urban deer hunting without a count.

"My No. 1 concern has always been to proceed cautiously, and my caution is on the side of safety," she said.

Councilwoman Loretta Schneider said she did not favor a bow hunting test, either.

"I think we need a count first," Schneider said. "Even if we don't get to reduce deer this season, so be it. ... Hunting is what most citizens told us they do not want."

Councilman Mark Lanzotti said he agreed that the city should use a "well-tempered" approach, but that he did not see a count as necessary. He pointed out, citing statistics given earlier by the Deer Management Committee, that 23 cities and 12 counties in Missouri already allow bow hunting that is supervised by the conservation department.

"I think it is a fiction that there'd be a bow hunter in every tree at Route K and William," Lanzotti said. "That wouldn't be a good place to hunt."

Lanzotti said he was particularly interested in what the state's conservation department would have to propose and what its trained experts think would be the best course of action. Lanzotti took exception to one resident who spoke, who made the comment that urban deer hunting is a moneymaker for the state.

"I trust them," Lanzotti said of the Missouri Department of Conservation. "They care more about those deer than they do their revenue stream."

John Voss is the council member who brought the issue to light again -- after a first failed attempt in 2007 -- late last year when a resident complained that she was losing thousands of dollars in landscaping, lost to hungry deer. While some people have decried urban bow hunting as inhumane to deer, Voss said that people can be killed in car collisions with deer.

Voss was more in favor of what he called a "dual path" -- implementing no feed ordinances, loosening fencing requirements, etc. But he also favored putting plans in place so that the herd can be thinned this year.

Before the council's decision, its members listened to the Deer Management Committee make its recommendation that urban deer hunting be allowed. But several members of the community and the Cape Friends of Wildlife also showed up to voice their opposition.

Outside of the committee, which made a presentation, two residents spoke out in favor of urban deer hunting and seven spoke out against. About 30 members of the community showed up to the meeting.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO