A problem in my neck of the woods

[bluestreak9]

Guys,

I could use your input/advice. This was a story in todays paper...


Solon may use traps, slaughterhouse tool to reduce deer herd

06/06/03

Martin Stolz
Plain Dealer Reporter


Solon- Instead of using sharpshooters to reduce deer herds that destroy residents' gardens, a new city report recommends trapping and killing them with a steel bolt fired into their skulls.

The city estimates that 500 to 800 deer live in the city, a 21-square-mile area, along with about 22,000 residents. The voracious eaters ruin landscaped yards and cross heavily traveled roads. In the past decade, an average of 109 deer a year have been killed in accidents with vehicles in Solon, according to police.


The discussions about culling deer got serious last year after a presentation to Solon residents by an animal control consultant used by Cleveland Metroparks. The consultant talked about using sharpshooters.

But Police Chief Wayne Godzich questioned the consultant's $250 fee per deer, saying his officers, working on overtime, could shoot deer more cheaply. He volunteered to prepare a report on how best to rid the city of some of its deer.

His report, released to City Council this week, concludes that sharpshooting poses too great a hazard. Instead, he recommends using traps and a "penetrating captive bolt" gun, discharged either by gunpowder or compressed air.

The special gun would force a 4-inch steel rod into the forehead of a trapped deer, destroying brain tissue in a way that usually results in death. The rod then retracts back into the gun.

Captive-bolt guns are commonly used in slaughterhouses. Several communities have used them on nuisance deer. Proponents say the method is humane because it instantly renders animals unconscious.

The chief proposes using $2,000 clover traps, consisting of frames covered by nets, to catch the deer. The cost of all equipment needed for the program is nearly $14,000. Labor costs for this year would add $7,000 to the bill.

The deer meat would be donated to food banks.

Council could adopt the plan as early as next week but the trapping would not be done until winter.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
mstolz@plaind.com, 216-999-4549


*Why couldn't this city/area open properties over 10 acres to bowhunters? We could pay a certain fee for tags and do the city a service? How could I accomplish this? I really appreciate your input. I want to do something about this and am trying to come up witha plan of attack.

BS9

[vvarmitr]

Just show them how much they would make for each tag sold & that they can keep selling tags 'til the yard of deer is where they want it.
Oh yeah, don't forget a way to grease their pockets.:mad:

[M.Magis]

A special bowhunt could be very successful and I don;t understand why more places don't do it.:confused: I believe a park in Il. was one of the first to impliment such a program, and it worked out great. To get a tag, one had to pass a shooting test, and to shoot a buck, they first had to shoot a doe. Not only did it reduce the deer numbers to healthy number, it gererated money from the tags sold. Why would they want to spend close to $100,000 when they could more effectively reduce the herd and make some money also with the bow hunt? I guess the first step might be to start attending the counsil meetings and propose the idea. Some data from the program in Il. might help convince them also. I'll try to remember where it was.

[bluestreak9]

magis,

That would be great if you could tell me where to find that info. And to anyone else...please let me know if you have ny good info that I could use. I have contacted the reporter who wrote the story and he is gtting contact information for me.

BS9

[sjb3]

Bluestreak9, Try going to the IBO website they have something about fighting city hall I think this might help Good luck sjb3

[Ohio Sportsman]

I agree with all the above, a controlled hunt is a perfect example on how to rid the city of Solon with it's nuisance deer population. The city and also the state could profit from with tag sales and the city could charge a fee for a selective license for hunting within the city boundary. I just can't see how it would be feasible for them to hire an outside source to rid themselves of the problem, a bow hunt is particulary favorable in my opinion but certain rules should be implemented to keep the public's safety a main priority.

Down with the bolt gun suggestion as it will end up costing we taxpayers in the long run, and I'm sure there are plenty out there just like me who feel we get taxed enough. I see a chance for hunters, the city of Solon and the State of Ohio to profit from this unfortunate situation, now bring the subject to the forefront of all involved including the general public to find a suitable solution for all.

[lureboy98]

The only problem I have with this is:

The special gun would force a 4-inch steel rod into the forehead of a trapped deer, destroying brain tissue in a way that usually results in death.

what if the deer doesn't die...

[vvarmitr]

Originally posted by bluestreak9

But Police Chief Wayne Godzich questioned the consultant's $250 fee per deer, saying his officers, working on overtime, could shoot deer more cheaply. He volunteered to prepare a report on how best to rid the city of some of its deer.
His report, released to City Council this week, concludes that sharpshooting poses too great a hazard.
The chief proposes using $2,000 clover traps, consisting of frames covered by nets, to catch the deer. The cost of all equipment needed for the program is nearly $14,000. Labor costs for this year would add $7,000 to the bill.
This Police Chief sounds like a real winner. :rolleyes: If he thinks sharpshooters are a harzard what does he think of his boys in blue after they "gualify" w/ there weapons? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
I wonder who the sucker will be that has to poke the deer in the head. Does he think it'll be like a slaughter house? Does he think the deer will just hold still while some one comes up & pokes'em in the head? :eek: That otta make some good video footage for TV. :D
Personally, I think $250 a head seems like a lot. Especially when you can do it for a donut a deer. :p

[jcdflint]

I got a dozen fresh glased donuts and a "itchy"bow finger!!!!! Would a cup of hot coffee get me a better stand spot too ! Ha !

[M.Magis]

Bluestreak9, I finally found the article. You have a PM.

[Thunderflight]

I remember reading about this a while back. If I recall they decided not to go with the traps.

The reason places like that don't allow bow hunting is because of ignorance and the bad examples set by slob hunters.

Thunderflight

[hntnfsh]

Part of the problem is with administering the program. Takes more work than you realize.

Contact ODNR, NO REALLY! Don't stop reading yet. Ask to speak to Officer Ken Fitz. Ask him about Gahanna's program in Franklin County. He can fill you in. (800) WILDLIFE.

[Basementdweller]

Columbus tried the trap thing a few years ago at the sharron woods metro park......What a disaster...The guy was supposed to slaughter the deer but instead tried to keep them on his farm where most of them died off.......Now they use sharp shooters every winter.

I asked at a public meeting at the park about bowhunting. The response I got was acceptable and here it is. They said that the park could not be closed to allow hunting. The sharp shooters spot light after dark when the park is closed and into prepared kill zones were the bullets wont richotet. The park representative also brought up the point of a mortally shot deer sprinting into the view of the general public then dying. How much would that help our cause? A bunch of kids seeing a deer in a death throws????????????????

Wasn't there a guy in aurora or cleveland last year that was tracking a wounded deer through peoples backyards. Not real cool. He made us a lot of enemys that night. I do not know where or not he recovered the deer.

I hunt suburbs and the margin for a mistake is very thin.

[george tinkham]

sorry but the deer at sharon woods were tame.they would eat right outta your hand.now that kind of publicity hunters dont need.thats worse then trailin them thru yards.i lived close to sharon woods when there was bout 400 deer...

[Thunderflight]

Bad thing is bowhunters probably couldn't get the job done anyway.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for it and would go in a second, but unless the hunt is managed properly then you'll have a bunch of yahoo's out there holding out for buckzilla and letting the doe walk. That's been the problem with alot of the management hunts I've seen. Maryland and South Carolina have had them and they didn't help much. I do know of one place in MD that has one that does work quite well. You have to take a doe before you can kill a buck. Then you have to kill another doe before you can shoot another. They had a proficiency test that was pretty easy. Still amazed me how people would fail it. This area made their biggest money (on deer kill't) during the gun hunts though. Same deal, doe first and a proficiency test.

All I ever saw was bucks....

TF

[CritterGitter]

I know I have seen articles about this subject in Deer and Deer Hunting. There are a few clubs in Maryland and New Jersey that have been very successful in using bow hunters to thin the deer herd. As I recall, there was objection at first, but when the job was completed in a specific area the club was recommeded for other areas. This club used only the most accurate shooters. Also, there was very little trailing of deer. Most died within about 50 yards of where they were shot. Also, the field dress out and all placed in bags so there was nearly zero evidence on the ground that displayed the place where a deer had been harvested. I remember the members of the community saying after the fact, that they were very pleased with this group of hunters and that their perception of hunters had been changed for the better by this club. Could be something to look into.

CG