Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

1. Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force July 18, 2019 Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

2. AGENDA • Welcome • Task Force Mission, Purpose and Goals • History • Facts • A Management Plan Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

3. TASK FORCE MISSION The City of Woodland Park and the Deer Management Task Force will work cooperatively with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to recommend a plan with various control alternatives to present to Woodland Park City Council for consideration that achieves a deer density at acceptable levels to foster a healthy deer herd and still maintain enough deer for all to see and enjoy. Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

4. TASK FORCE PURPOSE • The Woodland Park City Council has approved a community-led Task Force to consider ways to handle the deer population in Woodland Park and areas surrounding the city limits • The Task Force will assess the impact of the Mule Deer herd relevant to the safety and security of the community and recommend appropriate and feasible methods to address herd impacts on the community • The Task Force will publish their recommendations in a Deer Management Plan and submit the plan for Council consideration and approval Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

5. TASK FORCE GOALS • Maintain public safety at all times while conducting deer management operations. • Manage the urban deer population as determined appropriate by the Woodland Park City Council, the Woodland Park Police Department, the Teller County Sheriff’s Department, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife under regulations set forth in state satute • Utilize effective, humane and safe methods in the management of the urban deer population Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

6. HISTORY • Herd Surveys:2017, 2018 and 2019 • Community Meetings • August 14th, 2018 Chamber of Commerce Town Hall • Ute Cultural Center; over 100 I attendance • June 2019, two City Council Work Sessions Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

7. HISTORY Herd Surveys Results: Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

8. STATS • By the Numbers-Colorado • 2016: 3,300 reported traffic accidents involving wildlife • 2006 thru 2016: 2,991 traffic/wildlife-related injuries and 33 fatalities • 2018: • 4,000 wildlife collision accidents • $1.1 Billion in insurance payouts for claims related to wildlife and vehicles • Average payout--$3,103 per incident Source: CDOT website Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

9. STATS • By the Numbers-Woodland Park • 2017 • Wildlife Calls: 166 • Deer-related traffic accidents: 38 • Injured deer: 54 • Euthanized deer: 12 • 2018 • Wildlife Calls: 187 • Deer-related traffic accidents: 55 • Injured deer: 77 • Euthanized deer: 7 • 2019 (Jan-first week of Jul) • Wildlife Calls: 78 • Deer-related traffic accidents: 20 • Injured deer: 27 • Euthanized deer: 5 Source: Woodland Park Police Department Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

10. STATS • By the Numbers-Woodland Park • Average Insurance Payout for Reported Deer-Vehicle Accidents • 2017: $124,120 • 2018: $164,459 • 2019: $99,296 (first six months, only) Source: Woodland Park Police Department Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

11. FACTS • Why problems with deer? • Because humans move into wildlife habitat • Because we intentionally or unintentionally create backyard habitats for them • Because predators avoid urban areas, thus creating a deer refuge! • NOTE: Temporary movement of herds due to Hayman and Waldo Canyon Fires; not a factor any longer Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

12. Impact • Deer repeatedly exposed to humans without negative consequences will eventually become habituated or show little fear of humans. Habituated mule deer may become aggressive and pose a danger to human residents • Large mule deer numbers in urban areas lead to more deer on roads and increase the potential for deer-vehicle collisions • Mule deer are opportunistic–they will eat and damage ornamental plants, hedges, vegetables, flowers, and lawns • Bucks can damage shrubs and saplings by rubbing the bark with their antlers Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

13. IMPACTS, CON’T. • Mule deer populations will ultimately attract predators to urban areas, creating a possible hazard for local residents and pets • The urban environment can have a negative impact on deer as well • Busy streets, fences, and bridges are hazards for urban deer. There are many reports of deer-vehicle collisions and entanglement in fences • The potential for disease transmission is also greater due to the high densities of deer in urban areas Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

14. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES • Prohibiting Supplemental Feeding • Residents of urban areas often intentionally feed mule deer by hand or through a feeder because they enjoy having the deer in close proximity or feel that the deer need the supplement to survive. Inadvertent feeding also occurs such as through bird or squirrel feeders • However, intentional feeding attracts predators, disrupts behavior, promotes density-related disease issues, & invites landscape damage • Bird seed, corn and other human-supplied food make deer sick • Prohibiting intentional feeding is an important step in managing an urban deer problem. Prohibiting feeding also reduces the attractants that draw deer into the urban areas to begin with Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

15. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES • Woodland Park Ordinance No. 1338 • Approved by WP City Council Nov 2018 • No intentional feeding or baiting! • Fines: • 1st offense: $350 • 2nd offense: $450-$550 • 3rd and subsequent offenses: Up to $1,000 • and/or imprisonment not exceeding one year • Year-to-date citations: Six warning tickets and one citation Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

16. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, CON’T. • Chemical Repellents and Scare Devices • Deterrents are modestly effective when deer densities are relatively low and often lose effectiveness as deer abundance and problems grow • Repellents rarely work and require constant application, especially after rain or snow. • Scare devices can sometimes be effective at deterring urban deer. Some scare devices are commercially available, but contact state wildlife officials for the use of noise-making scare devices such as Zon-guns (propane cannons), crackershells, and M-80s. Be sure to consult local laws before using pyrotechnic devices Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

17. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, CON’T. • Deer-resistant plants and fencing • Certain ornamental plants are unpalatable to deer and are less likely to be browsed. Using these plants in landscaping instead of more-desirable browse species can reduce deer conflicts • Fencing deer out is the most effective and permanent method. A wide variety of fence designs will keep problem deer out. • Relocation • Relocation not possible in this area due to concerns for spreading wasting disease to unaffected areas • Typical annual rate of survival for relocated deer is 50%; compared to 85% for free-ranging deer • Deer that are forcibly moved often die of starvation, accidents, etc. Sounds humane, actually is not… Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

18. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, CON’T. Contraception Contraception is often proposed as a method to reduce overabundant deer populations, but it is not currently feasible in free-ranging mule deer populations Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

19. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, CON’T. • Hunting • Wildlife agencies are successfully using regulated hunting in urban areas to address urban deer issues • Carefully regulated archery hunts in restricted hunting areas can be particularly effective and efficient • Some agencies have used professional shooters to kill deer with the meat donated to charitable groups • Hunting in and around urban areas requires close coordination with local governments and citizens, but where possible, it is a cost-effective solution Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

20. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, CON’T. • Education • Public input is the most important aspect of managing urban deer. There are a wide range of opinions regarding deer in urban areas. Some enjoy seeing deer in their backyards and tolerate the damage, while others see urban deer as a hazard and nuisance • Prudent consideration of all factors involved and proper public education is critically important when managing urban mule deer Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

21. MANAGEMENT PLAN • When is deer management needed? • Wildlife management attempts to balance the needs of a species with the needs of people, using the best available science. Deer management is the art and science of reaching defined goals by manipulating and/or maintaining habitats and wildlife populations. • Opinions and philosophies vary widely about deer management. The most basic deer management decision is whether or not to take any action at all. If no community deer management action is taken, then residents must accept the problems they are experiencing or try to reduce them on their own Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

22. MANAGEMENT PLAN • What does a Management Plan Look Like? • Introduction and mission statement • Goals statements of what you want to achieve with your deer management activities • Objective(s): Objectives measure progress towards your goals • Example: To reduce and maintain an acceptable number of deer-vehicle collisions and/or deer-related complaints in your community • Management Actions: Techniques include removal and non-removal methods, communications strategies, and outreach materials and distribution • Schedule /Timetable for implementation of the program Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

23. MANAGEMENT PLAN • What Should the Woodland Park Management Plan Look Like? • Introduction • Site Description • Population Description • Management Options • Ordinances/Codes • Education • Active Herd Management • Monitoring and metric evaluation criteria • Communication strategy Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force

24. WAY FORWARD • Sub-Committee Assignments • Next Meeting Woodland Park Deer Management Task Force