HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/2016
Jeffery T. Standish
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
Chairman P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Telephone (631) 765-1283 Ext.235
Fax (631) 765-9015
Deer Management Task Force Committee
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
MINUTES
August 24, 2016
6:30 P.M.
Southold Town Hall Conference Room
A meeting of the Deer Management Task Force Committee was held Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the
Southold Town Hall Conference Room, Main Road, Southold.
Present were: Members: Dave Dominy, John Rasweiler, Jeff Standish, John Rumpler, Jerry Martocchia, Laura
Klahre, John Betsch and Nancy Foote
Call to order
:
Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dave Dominy at 6:33 PM. Minutes from May
and July meeting were reviewed and adopted.
2016/2017 Hunting Season
: Both does and bucks can be harvested at the commencement of the season,
October 1. Town program will continue with an Earn a Buck program. Hunter will need to harvest two does
before taking a buck on Town properties. There will be a kick off assembly before October 1. The meeting
will emphasize cooler hours, creating a more productive hunting season and new app introduced by John
Sepnoski. The Town will be able to gather information from this new tool.
A new survey will be distributed to the hunters. Possibly as part of the package or at the end of the season.
Dave Dominy would like the following items included in the survey: days in field, deer seen, deer harvested.
DEC limits the amount of tags distributed, not all hunters will get 4 tags in their packet. Amount of tags
received will be determined on their previous harvest record.
John Rasweiler asked if the trail cameras will be installed. Jeff Standish informed the committee that the
camera was stolen. A new one has not been purchased at this time.
Cooler Hours
: Dave asked if the cooler hours could be more flexible in October due to varied warmer weather
and temperatures. In addition to established hours, the cooler will be open
Monday thru Friday 7 PM 9 PM once approved by Town Board. The cooler will be staffed by DPW. The
new hours will be advertised at the kick off meeting, on the Town website and in the packet information.
Suffolk County Veterans
: The committee agreed to invite Suffolk County Vets to submit applications to the
Town program. Ten Vets would be admitted using a lottery and depending on the resident roster more can be
added accordingly. The entire program can expand as the Town program expands. Jeff will speak to the Town
Board in regards to the new addition to the program.
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Crossbow
: Used as another tool to eliminate deer. Older, seasoned hunters who can no longer use a bow and
arrow and disabled individuals could hunt using a crossbow. Unfortunately the paperwork is quite tedious.
a
deadissue. Crossbow: Long Island is having a difficult time. Hunters need to take a test to use
crossbow. Item has to be pushed hard and at the right target. A letter was written to past Assemblyman
Sweeny, more letters of support need to be composed. Assemblyman Steve Englebright may be more
receptive. Suffolk County Legislator Al Kruspski was asked not to push for additional dates but rather
crossbow legislation. Jeff will meet with Al Krupski to continue to push for crossbow. A petition sent to Al
Krupski could also prove useful. Another suggestion made was to seek Audobon Society approval to open
more property for hunting.
Other business
:
Brush Creek is in the process of being purchased by SC. Language from old paperwork classify it as preserved
land.
Downs Farm is now on the Town hunting list. Many deer have been seen at this property.
Additional hunting incentives also need be explored. Shelter Island has a lottery. Harvest three deer and hunter
is entered into a lottery. Shelter Island pays butchering fees. Mark Wein of Shelter Island would like to add
more incentives. Programs are opened to all hunters on Shelter Island. Look into incentives for Town of
Southold program. To consider butchering, it takes time and equipment is expensive. Another option is to
reward hunters. Cheaper that a cull. Nassau Point, in conjunction with Jim Edwards worked during the regular
hunting season. Organized people, vetted out hunters. Arnold Blair, President of the Nassau Point HOA will
meet with them. Arnold will apply for a nuisance permit and add incentives. Beau Payne, Shelter Islands
Animal Control Agent, is being paid as a consultant. HOA is covering his fee. If this demonstration project is
successful it could be expanded to Town program. Jeff Standish suggested Jim Edwards take it to other HOAs
and Town can take care of Town properties.
Hunting season will not be extended this year. Season will run Oct 1 Jan 31. Nuisance begins Feb 1.
Reports have come in that the ticks are abundant on Mill Lane preserve. Dogs are being walked there, deer
come in at night. This area is denser to hunt and should be closed to hikers.
Thompson County initiative hunts under nuisance rules: artificial lights, bait, night hours. Jeff will ask Leslie
Lupo at DEC for a trial in one of the Town properties. Try to institute on a selective basis under a controlled
roster of hunters.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. Future meeting has not been scheduled at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Foote
Deer Management Task Force Committee
Secretary
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