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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/06/2014 . q~~~,~FFOL,~c y Jeffery T. Standish o= Town Hall, 53095 Main Road • Chairman W P.O. Box 1179 p g Southold, New York 11971 Telephone (631) 765-1283 Ext.235 Fax (631) 765-9015 1[ Deer Management Committee TOWN OF SOUTHOLD MINUTES J''tiaxy 6, 2014 6:30 P.M. Southold Town Hall Conference Room A meeting of the Deer Management Committee was held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at the Town Hall 4V onference Room, Main Rd., in Southold. Present were: Chairperson Jeff Standish, Members: John Rasweiler, John Scaramucci, Rob Lehnert, John Betsch, Councilperson William Ruland, Councilperson James Dinizio, David Dominy, Adam West, John Rumpler, Nancy Foote. Guests: Brian Farrish, John Rocchetta Call to order: Jeff Standish called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Deer Manaeement Proeram Update: With 108 hunters enrolled in the program there have been 227 deer reported to date with 150 of this number donated and 67 have been harvested off Town properties. Nuisance permit submitted to DEC today. Some baiting will be allowed during the nuisance hunt. Josh Stille from the DEC will assess properties and let Jeff know which properties can be baited. Shotgun season (not a Town sponsored program) is presently in progress. Deer Forum: Town of Southold has scheduled a Deer Forum on January 16, 2014. Martin Lowney from the USDA will be speaking about the Deer Project proposed for the Town of Southold. He will detail the program as to educate the public on what to expect of the program. He will available for questions from the audience. Josh Stille from DEC and Joe Gergela, Executive Director of LI Farm Bureau has also been invited sit on the panel at the forum. John Betsch thought there may be protestors and anti USDA program protestors that may show up at the forum. The Committee is aware of some bad press surrounding the USDA program and believe the forum will educate the public. John Betsch added that residents want to see the deer culled but are afraid. They don't understand ~ the hunting specifics. Scott Russell agreed, residents want the deer to go away, but they don't want to see it. He elieves everything needs to be explained to displace all fears and images. A large turnout is expected. Supervisor supports the program in response to the residents who wanted the Town to correct the overpopulation of deer. 1 USDA bro¢ram: Areas for the program were discussed. The Town will make every effort to have each hamlet represented in the program. Jeff Standish will enlist local hunters to help field dress during the hunt. The Oarvested deer from the program will be donated. Jeff Standish will ask the Town Board to consider absorbing some of the cost for butchering and then distribute the venison to Town residents. John Rocchetta suggested having local hunters and the group of hunters he represents to do the hunt instead of spending tax money on the USDA. He believes that recreational hunters can get the job done with the help of his group (2000+) for free. Jeff Standish explained the USDA is not regulated by the same law that recreational hunters are. Dave Dominy added that we are not against hunting but are looking to complement our hunting program with the help of the USDA program to cull the North Fork herd. Scott added that with limited land we cannot stabilize the herd. Jeff Standish believes the Town has been working hard at getting legislation changed to enable the recreational hunter easier access to deer (ie: change setback law from 500' to 150'). These law changes are being held up at the State level. John Rumpler finds it frustrating that he had 30 deer in his backyard but he is restricted to hunt them due to the law. Dave Dominy believes USDA will ease the tension. John Rocchetta suggested speaking to homeowners to hunt private property. John Rocchetta is not a Town resident and would like to hunt in Southold Town. Scott Russell suggested he go to the Assessor's office and look at the public record and do a mailing. Jeff Standish reminded John that there is Suffolk County open for hunting for all Suffolk County hunters. Jeff also suggested John contact all his hunters and remind them they can hunt anywhere in NYS. Peconic Land Trust also has property that can be hunted and can be contacted. Additional business and comments: - Jeff reviewed restriction recreational hunters face with current laws in place - Scott Russell confirmed the Town's commitment of $25,000 toward the USDA program - Scott Russell would like to explore budgeting for reimbursement of arrows to offset financial part for our local hunters Whe meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Foote Deer Management Program Committee Secretary • 2