HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/21/2013
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Jeffery T. Standish CD Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
Chairman rn P.O. Box 1179
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d Southold, New York 11971
Telephone (631) 765-1283 Ext.235 Qty
Fax (631) 765-9015 ~al 1t ~`Q
Deer Management Committee
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
MINUTES
August 21, 2013
7:00 P.M.
Southold Town Annex Board Room
A meeting of the Deer Management Committee was held Monday, August 19, 2013 at the Annex Board Room,
.Youngs Ave., in Southold.
Present were: Chairperson Jeff Standish, Members: Supervisor Scott Russell, Philip Beltz, Adam West, David
Dominy, John Haas, Nancy Foote Guests: Susan Switzer, Don Stewart, Mimi Ellis
Call to order: Jeff Standish called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Deer Forum: Philip Beltz distributed the outline for the upcoming Deer Forum sponsored by the Town
scheduled for September 26, 2013, 6:00 pm at the Town of Southold Recreation Center. Participants expected
to be in attendance include: Josh Stiller from DEC, Joe Gergella representing the LI Farm Bureau, Jason
Boulanger from Cornell University. Additional speakers from other organizations are expected as well.
Supervisor Russell invited the committee to offer suggestions and embrace more global issues concerning the
deer population on the North Fork. Philip is going to finalize the agenda and advertise the forum accordingly.
Discussion followed: political support or lack of the issue, laws needing modifying to enhance hunting in the
area (cross bow hunting, baiting, hunting distance), use of USDA sharpshooters and treating the current issue as
a health & ecological crisis. Supervisor Russell suggested to the group focus on the upcoming forum where the
issues discussed would be addressed.
North Fork Deer Management Alliance (NFDMA) - Guest Susan Switzer introduced the citizen group,
North Fork Deer Management Alliance. The group formed in July 2013. The group's goal, working with local
officials, is to help educate the public to promote the return of the deer population of the North Fork to a level
compatible with the health and safety of the human population and the environmental and economic integrity of
the region. The group is currently circulating a petition to hire USDA sharpshooters to cull the deer herds on
*he North Fork. Supervisor Russell is committed to putting money in the budget to address the deer issue. He
also wanted to know if offering a bounty on each harvested deer would be helpful to encourage hunting by local
hunters. Jeff Standish thought using CPS monies on designed preserved properties could be a possibility but
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Supervisor Russell believed it may have "too" many strings attached. Other ideas for funding were discussed
(grants, local organizations, tax bill donation check box). Supervisor Russell would like everyone in the public
to contribute. It's a public health crisis.
• Deer Management Program: Jeff Standish discussed the upcoming Town hunting program. There are three
additional properties being considered for the program. Jeff asked the committee for their thoughts in regards to
leaving tree stands erected the entire season. John Haas supported the idea but believed the individual hunters
would need to take full responsibility. The topic was shelved for further discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Foote
Deer Management Program
Committee Secretary
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