Deer count results presented to Cape City Council

A survey of Cape Girardeau's whitetail deer population presented to the city council Monday night found an average density of 37 deer per square mile -- an amount the Missouri Department of Conservation said is similar to densities seen elsewhere in the state where communities have taken action to reduce the herd.

Matt Bowyer, a conservation department wildlife biologist, presented data at the request of the council, which requested the survey as a way for the public to gain an understanding of how many deer live in the city. A citywide vote set for April 2 will decide whether bow hunting for deer will be allowed within city limits. The vote comes as a result of the city's first-ever referendum, set by the council's inaction to repeal an ordinance that would allow hunting after an opposition group, Keep Cape Safe, gathered enough petition signatures in the fall to suspend the ordinance.

During December, January and February, the department conducted the survey by choosing two routes through the city and counting deer during four night outings. Data collected during the outings were analyzed by Blake McCann, a biology professor at Southeast Missouri State University.

Bowyer told the council the department keeps three numbers in mind when looking at survey results: a 20-deer-per-square-mile "optimal" density, a 40-deer-per-square-mile social carrying capacity and a 60-deer-per-square-mile biological carrying capacity. The numbers indicate maximum capacity of deer per square mile for all three areas.

Thirty-seven deer per square mile is an indication, according to Bowyer, that the local deer population is healthy and reproducing, but also poses the risk of causing detriment in areas populated by people.

The team on average sighted 136 deer per outing, each of which was conducted between 7 and 10 p.m. The number of deer seen on each outings was very similar, Bowyer said, which gives the department confidence its survey results are accurate. The outings on each route were conducted simultaneously, he said, to avoid counting twice the same deer or herd of deer in one area of town that would tend to move to other areas during the course of several hours.

Mayor Harry Rediger said he was not surprised by the results and thanked the department for its work -- but not everyone was satisfied with the survey or its potential influence on voters.

Stephen Stigers, leader of Keep Cape Safe, attended the meeting and said afterward he was hopeful voters would consider the survey as painting an inaccurate picture of the deer population.

"I think when people look at the routes selected, they will see it was obvious this wasn't random, especially in the second sector, which took in all the outskirts of town," he said.

One route, which covered much of the northeast quadrant of the city, was where many of the deer were spotted, and contains large wooded areas and open fields.

"I also hope they will see that the number we have falls vastly short of the biological carrying capacity," Stigers said.

The group is attempting to educate the public on the ballot question, according to Stigers, which, as currently worded, asks voters if the city should repeal the ordinance that will allow hunting. If in favor of repealing the ordinance, which means urban hunting would not be allowed, a voter would check the "yes" box. If a voter wanted urban deer hunting to be allowed per city ordinance, they would check the "no" box.

Other items

The council also heard a report from the Cape Girardeau Police Department on enforcement of alcohol laws that pertain to the underaged and an update from assistant city manager Kelly Green on a rental licensing and inspection program created by city ordinance.

Police Chief Roger Fields said that through a combination of a public awareness campaign on underage drinking, high-profile enforcement activities and extra steps by the department and other area law enforcement agencies, those younger than 21 who attempt to illegally buy and consume alcohol in the community are starting to get the message they will be caught, and that businesses also are better complying with regulations.

Officers have conducted a variety of activities designed to curb access of minors to alcohol, including checking for fake identification in local bars and restaurants, sending paid underage individuals equipped with video and audio equipment to attempt to buy alcohol at convenience stores to check business compliance with the laws and holding sobriety checkpoints and server trainings. Bar walk-throughs and nuisance party patrols also have played a part in stepped-up enforcement.

Green said city staff still are working to involve landlords in the city's rental licensing and inspection program -- so far the city has sent more than 500 letters to landlords or those thought to likely own rental property to inform them of the program's requirements. The deadline to register for the program is April 12. More than 130 landlords had registered 1,700 rental units as of Monday, Green said.

The program requires landlords to purchase annual licenses to rent property, and mandates maintenance of properties by landlords and tenants. If landlords do not register they will be in violation of the ordinance that created the program.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.