HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/2011
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JAMES C. McMAHON h Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
• Chairman to yk P.O. Box 1179
d W y Southold, New York 11971
Telephone (631) 765-1283 Ext.235
Fax (631) 765-9015
Deer Management Committee
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
MINUTES
August 25, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Southold Town Hall, Conference Room
A meeting of the Deer Management Committee was held Thursday, August 25, 2011 at the Town Hall,
Wonference Room, Main Road in Southold.
Present were: Scott Russell, Supervisor
Jeff Standish, Chairperson
Adam West, Member
John Haas, Member
John Rasweiler, Member
John Sepnoski, Guest
Nancy Foote, Committee Secretary
Call to order
Jeff Standish called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
1. Hunter Safety Classes - Jeff Standish outlined the Safety classes offered by the Town in cooperation with
the DEC. Bow Hunter Safety class will be offered on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Recreation Center
from 8:00 am - 5:00 PM. Participants must be 12 years or older. The class will address cross bow hunting as
well. The Hunter Safety Course is a two day class offered on Saturday, Septemeber 17 and Sunday, September
18, 2011 at the Human Resource Center in Mattituck. This 10 hour class will run from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
both days. John Haas asked if either class is recognized by the NRA. Jeff informed him that the classes are
DEC certificate courses. Classes are taught by Bill Montefusco who is an instructor for the NYC DEC
Sportsman Education. John H. inquired about tree stand safety and if the classes would cover that. Jeff
answered yes along with safety harness. Jeff also informed the committee that demonstrations during class time
would take place at Down's Farm. The classes will be advertised in upcoming issues of The Suffolk Times
Newpaper and applications for either class can be obtained by contacting the Dept of Public Works.
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II. Nuisance Town Program - Jeff Standish described the Nuisance Town Program. The program is new this
year, extending the current Deer Management Program (DMP). In the Nuisance Program hunters will be able
to get as many tags as they need. Town properties without walking trails will be available for this program.
Jeff is working with the DEC to obtain additional tags for the Town DMP (tags for the DMP are for does only).
Dates for Nuisance Program will be determined at a later date. This is a separate program from the DMP,
opened to no more than 20 hunters. Participants will be selected from past program rosters, those hunters
harvesting the most deer. The select hunters will be automatically enrolled in the 2011 Deer Management
program, but will not be automatically admitted in future seasons without continuing to produce.
Approximately four slots in the Nuisance Program will be left vacant for use after the regular DMP is
completed. These slots will be for other hunters with a higher number of harvests. The committee reviewed the
list of potential hunters, 16 from previous DMP seasons and two who were not on the program but donated four
or more deer to the refrigerated truck the Town provided for all hunters. Jeff asked the committee for input on
hunters who have past violations who would like to be in either program. The entire committee agreed that if
the violation isn't big enough for the government to convict or take the hunting license away, the committee
won't bar participation in the Town Programs as long as it's only a minor offense. The committee reviewed
and approved the list of hunters being considered for the Nuisance program.
III. Deer Management Program (DMP) - The upcoming DMP season will run from October I - December
31, 2011. Applications will be accepted at the Town Clerk's Office Tuesday, September 6 - Thursday,
September 15, 2011. A lottery drawing will be held on Friday, September 16, 2011 after which hunters will be
kotified. Discussion followed regarding properties available to hunters and hikers. Jeff is working closely with
aura Klahre from Land Preservation to continue expanding the available property for hunting. Some
properties under discussion are McFeely (30 acres which is also an access area to Laurel Lake area for hikers) ,
Hummels Pond and Depot Lane in Cutchogue. John Sepenoski would like the committee to review Town
areas that are closed to hikers to benefit one hunter only. His point is related to closing approximately 120 acres
at Laurel Lake to only a couple of hunters on the McFeely property provides access to approximately 90 acres
of property owned by SCWA that is part of the official trail system but not currently slated for being included in
the DMP. If hunting areas were in the north end of McFeely then the current in the middle of the property is far
enough away from the hunting areas that hikers san still access the SCWA trails while hunters are active as long
as there were enough signs posted. John S. would also like to see more posted signage in all hunting areas.
Scott Russell suggested not denying access unless Water Authority gives Town permission. John Haas added
that this area is where dogs are walked and a lot of walkers use the area in the morning and afternoon. He has
not seen too many deer; John H. believes it's not a natural haven with so much human activity. At Hummel
Pond Jeff thought access on the west side would be good spot for one hunter. At Depot Lane the Town owns a
large piece of property. Jeff said he would talk to the Water Authority for parking in the area. John S.
reminded the committee that the Town owns the property and the Water Authority leases the space from the
Town. Adam West lives in the area of Depot Lane property and has seen a couple of ladder stands there.
Down's Farm will not be considered at this time. John S. informed the committee that there is an easement
issue that restricts the Town from having a trail in the Fort section of this property. The Town can grid out an
area in the back of the Fort but neighboring property owner has not granted permission for hunting. Other
property discussed: in Orient, end of Orient Point by cable that is owned by the County; in East Marion, Dam
Pond which is County and Town owned, Inlet Pond, Chapel Lane, Pipes Neck, Bittners (owned by Town and
.County), Blocker, Laurel Lake (piece owned by County) and Aldrich Lane (main drag and Kirkup La).
IV. Refrigerator Truck - Jeff Standish informed the committee that the Town has plans to purchase a
refrigerator box truck for the harvested deer hunters would like to donate. Scott Russell added that the Town
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did the math and it does not make sense to rent. Jeff and Councilman Vinnie Orlando went and looked at a used
truck that runs on 220 service. Jeff believes a plug in box could cost approximately $5000. This year additional
tags for hunters will be taken care of in house. Hunter will no longer need to drive to Ridge with the deer head
Oor new tags. Jeff thinks this a big plus for the Town and hunters. Jeff is working with the DEC to see if a
clipped off ear can be used instead of the entire head for accountability. Improvements are being made to update
the form for donating deer to individuals that can also be used as the transportation form. Form will be in the
packet hunters pick up prior to the opening of hunting season. Also discussed was local butchers who have
approached the Town for deer meat processing. This needs to be looked into further.
V. Other Alternatives - John Rasweiler updated the committee on the USDA program that the Nassau Point
Homeowners Association (NPHO) is looking to hire. Hunters come in at night with silencers and night vision
goggles and hunt. Currently the NPHO is getting in touch with residents to coordinate the effort; they are
almost at 100% interest. Scott Russell commented on how difficult for all members of homeowner associations
to be of "like" mindset. Jeff Standish added that the Town could help out but homeowners weren't comfortable
having hunters in their yards. John R. believes it won't solve the problem but will certainly help lower the herd
populations. Scott Russell offered that the Town Landfill can take a substantial amount of deer and will present
a resolution waiving fees at the landfill for this program as well as other programs.
VI. Additional Discussion - John Sepenoski expressed concern of conflict with the hunters and hikers with
expansion of hunted properties. He suggested opening certain properties 4 days to hunt, 3 days to hike. Switch
days around for new locations since the program is already 4 days to hunt and 3 days to hike. Half would be
hunted Wednesday to Saturday, with hiking Sunday to Thursday and the other half would be hunting Sunday to
Wednesday, hiking Thursday to Saturday. This would mean that both hikers and hunters would have access to
some open trails on both days of the weekends allowing for more flexibility and avoiding complaints. John S.
also suggested monitoring hunted properties to see what is regularly being hunted and other areas that are not. If
t is determined that hunters are not actually hunting preserves with trails on a regular basis, the Town may
consider allowing more hunters into the program to increase the overall time spent hunting. Hikers don't mind
trails being closed if hunters are actually present but might mind if trails are closed and no hunters are present.
Jeff Standish informed the committee that Mill Lane is the least hunted but posted signs being ripped down
have been an issue. John S. added both sides (hunters & hikers) must follow the rules, making all groups
accountable. Scott Russell believes all properties posted for hunting need an honest shot. Jeff thinks some
hikers walk properties when closed for hunting on purpose, leaving hunters unable to hunt. John S. suggested
posting that the area is under surveillance, this may help. In closing Jeff informed the committee that he would
be bringing to the Town Board an incentive for the DMP program. The program would offer a $250 gift
certificate to the two hunters harvesting the most deer. Funds for the incentive would come from the permit fee
collected by the Town.
The meeting was adjourned 8:15 PM. The next meeting was not scheduled at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
•
Nancy Foote
Deer Management Program
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