Chapter 5-9
URBAN DEER MITIGATION
SECTION:
5-9-1 GENERAL INFORMATION:
The urban deer mitigation regulations will be the following:
A. Huntington City's Urban Deer Control Plan:
C.O.R. #: (as issued by Division of Wildlife Resources and State Rule R657-65)
City Contact Information: 435-687-2436
Main Contact: Lesa Miller 435-820-1014
Secondary Contact: Robert Baker 435-609-0186
Address for Correspondence: 20 South Main, P.O. Box 126, Huntington, Utah 84528
B. Summary of Justification for Action: Huntington City's urban deer control plan is intended to maintain a balance between the number of deer within the city and the negative impact they create for our residents. These negative impacts include auto/deer accidents, damage to private and public property, public safety, and the health of the deer herds. The city has determined that new management controls are needed.
All mitigation efforts must comply with the current certificate of registration (refer to C.O.R # above) issued by the Division of Wildlife Resources and State Rule R657-65.
C. Estimated Population Size at Beginning of Action: twenty-five (25) to thirty (30).
D. Population Objective after Action: There will not be more than thirteen (13) deer per year removed (three (3) of which may be antlered). Remaining deer will be approximately seventeen (17). (Ord. 5-2021, 12-15-21; Ord. 3-2021, 4-21-21)
5-9-2 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS:
A. Land Owner Tags: A land owner whose property is being negatively impacted by deer shall receive one (1) urban deer control tag from Huntington City. The land owner is then free to fill the tag themselves, or give it to another person, as long as that person meets all legal requirements of hunting in the state of Utah. The deer must be hunted on the land owner's property, but can be retrieved from neighboring properties if it crosses boundaries after being hit (must ask property owner for permission to go on their property to retrieve the deer).
B. Lethal Removal Only: All persons eligible to perform deer removal activities shall hold a hunter safety card, and be legal to hunt in the state of Utah. All persons shall be listed with Huntington City, along with their contact information.
C. Conditions and Restrictions of Baiting/Feeding and Spotlighting: Baiting/feeding of deer is prohibited. Spotlighting is only permitted for retrieval of the animal.
D. Lethal Methods of Take: Archery.
E. Locations and Time Periods of Deer Removal Activities: The time period of August 1 through October 15 of each year is determined by the Division of Wildlife. The use of archery equipment shall not be used between one-half (1/2) hour after official sunset, and one-half (1/2) hour before official sunrise. No firearms will be allowed.
F. Lethal Tagging Requirements: The animal shall be tagged with a permit/tag issued by Huntington City immediately upon recovery. Prompt notification to the Huntington City program coordinator is required of all kills. Submittal of the deer control harvest survey for Huntington City records is also required.
G. Carcass Removal and Disposal: All evidence of the deer must be removed from the property. Field dressing of the deer will need to take place on the tag holder's property or at another permissible site. Any antlers obtained during the lethal removal shall be promptly surrendered to the DWR.
Chronic wasting disease samples must be taken by or given to one of the city's urban deer program contacts who will then deliver them to the DWR.
The property owner has first claim to the harvest as recompense for any damage to their property. If they pass on this opportunity, they may donate the meat to the hunter. No meat shall be wasted as a result of this hunt.
H. Annual Reporting: Huntington City will compile all the data of the deer removal program, and submit a report to the DWR by March of the following year. (Ord. 5-2021, 12-15-21; Ord. 3-2021, 4-21-21)