HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-124MARCH 22, 2011 11 -124 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 7 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: APPROVE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, there exists a need to manage various wildlife species for public safety
and health reasons as well as for the health of the various wildlife species; and
WHEREAS, the City established the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee to work
with City staff, City residents and the Wisconsin DNR to draft a wildlife management plan;
and
WHEREAS, the Wildlife Management Plan was presented to the Urban Wildlife
Advisory Committee and the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee recommended the Plan;
and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has reviewed the
Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the attached Wildlife Management Plan is hereby approved and the proper
City officials are hereby authorized and directed to take those steps necessary to
implement the Plan.
City of Oshkosh
Parks Department
805 Witzel Ave., PO Box 1130 Ray Maurer
Oshkosh, WI 54903 -1130 Director
OfHKOfH (920) 236 -5080 (920) 232 -5316 FAX
ON THE WATER
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Ray Maurer, Parks Director
DATE: March 17, 2011
RE: City of Oshkosh Wildlife Management Plan
BACKGROUND
Residents have been and are intent on monitoring the whitetail deer population within the city of Oshkosh.
Deer presence in Oshkosh has contributed to complaints of nuisance, health (Lyme disease, chronic wasting
disease, etc.), safety concerns and plant species eradication. The increasing population of deer raises concern
in the city over increased deer /traffic collisions and further destruction of property. Due to the abundance of
complaints expressed to the city by residents concerning various forms of wildlife, the City of Oshkosh
established the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee in October, 2009. The Committee meets monthly on
the fourth Monday of every month with Parks Department staff serving as staff liaisons to the Committee.
ANALYSIS
For approximately the last year, the Committee has been working on drafting the City of Oshkosh
Wildlife Management Plan. The Committee has reviewed plans from other communities and has
solicited input from city residents and DNR staff.
In January, the draft plan was reviewed by DNR staff and we received favorable comments and some
suggested revisions. At their February meeting, the Urban Wildlife Advisory Committee recommended
the plan for approval by the Common Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is obviously no fiscal impact to approving the plan. The fiscal impact for future years will be based
upon the City's chosen wildlife control option(s). The Plan does include cost information for some of the
various management options.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Common Council approve the City of Oshkosh Wildlife Management Plan.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ray Maurer
Parks Director
Approved:
Mark Rohloff
City Manager
City of Oshkosh
Wildlife Management Program
BACKGROUND
The city of Oshkosh is a residential community, with a 2010 population of 66,080, offering well -
managed landscapes and natural water sources. The landscape surrounding the immediate city
area is characterized by mature trees, wooded areas and open fields for farming. The combination
of these landscapes offers the perfect habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
With increasing development of the city to the west and the north come increased human and
wildlife interactions and property damage issues. Wildlife populations are being pushed into
established and developed areas in search of food supplies and safe refuge. The whitetail deer is
an example of this very circumstance. While some residents find them valued and appreciated,
others view this same species as troublesome and dangerous if the population escalates or
becomes unsustainable. Other species, such as coyote or fox, have not yet caused concern in
Oshkosh. But as with any wildlife species, a management plan needs to be established that will
outline aggressive control if additional species need to be addressed in the future.
DETERMINATION OF AN URBAN WILDLIFE PROBLEM
The question to be asked is when does a particular species of urban wildlife become a problem?
What truly is the "basis" for defining a wildlife species problem? Does a particular species become
an issue or a problem based on safety or health concerns by affected residents? Can the definition
of a wildlife problem be based on property damage alone? Is it the residents themselves, through
complaints, who dictate when an animal species has become a problem? Do patterns of behavior
need to be established before a wildlife problem truly exists?
It is the job of the Oshkosh Urban Wildlife Management Committee to take all of these questions
into consideration before determining if a "true" wildlife problem does exist.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
This program is designed to provide city residents and the city administration with
recommendations and resources on how to support responsible and ongoing wildlife management.
In addition, the program will provide guidance on how the city administration might establish a
threshold of when to consider active management of specific species, and it describes the
approved methods for such wildlife management and control by the city administration. This
document will separate the species that can be managed individually by residents and those
species that will be managed city -wide by city administration and staff. Eradication of a species is
not an option; rather, a sustainable level of the species is the goal.
WHITETAIL DEER CONTROL
BACKGROUNDIFINDINGS
Residents have been and are intent on monitoring the whitetail deer population within the city of
Oshkosh. Deer presence in Oshkosh has contributed to complaints of nuisance, health (Lyme
disease, chronic wasting disease, etc.), safety concerns and plant species eradication. The
increasing population of deer raises concern in the city over increased deer /traffic collisions and
further destruction of property. Due to the abundance of complaints expressed to the city by
residents, Oshkosh seeks to annually monitor the deer population in sections of the city.
There have been three (3) distinct deer herds identified during ongoing discussions. It is necessary
to differentiate between the three herds. There is the "contained" herd that populates the Vulcan
Quarry/Osborn Avenue areas. Since this herd is more restricted in its movement, this is the group
causing the majority of property damage complaints.
The other herds that have been identified are the northside herd, which populates the area of the
county landfill to Highway 41 north; and the southside herd, which primarily inhabits the property
owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Both of these herds are very mobile, with
little movement restrictions.
Due to the close proximity of Oshkosh to less populated townships and high- density deer
populations, the city will continue to annually monitor the deer populations, weather permitting, to
locate the herd, identify population trends and identify herd growth over time.
The population goal for deer within city borders is 25 deer per square mile of habitat. This
population goal was established by referencing the Milwaukee Metro Unit (77M) whose deer
population had been similarly established (Southeastern Wisconsin Urban Deer Task Force Final
Report 1994). Population goals range from 10 — 35 deer per square mile of habitat throughout the
state depending on habitat, climate and human condition. Monitoring of the deer population
annually confirms the city is achieving the determined population goal.
The following is a timeline listing the steps that were implemented from 2008 through 2009 as a
result of complaints from city residents in the Vulcan Quarry/Osborn Avenue area.
CITY OF OSHKOSH URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT HISTORY
• Urban Deer Task Force established — January 16, 2008
• First meeting of task force — January 21, 2008
• Area surveys distributed — January 25, 2008
• Meeting with some residents — February 5, 2008
• Aerial view of deer population in Osborn Avenue area — February 7, 2008
• Survey deadline — February 8, 2008
• Citizen statements at City Council meeting — February 12, 2008
• Meeting with expanded group of residents — February 14, 2008
• Meeting minutes /survey results emailed to residents — February 22, 2008
• Stakeholder meeting — February 27, 2008
• Committee meeting — March 6, 2008
• Business /landowner stakeholder meeting — March 18, 2008
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• Neighbor meeting (recommendations) — March 20, 2008
• City Council workshop with options and recommendations — March 25, 2008
• Humane Society of United States Workshop — June 7, 2008
• City Council approves the use of Urban Wildlife Specialists for deer culling, approved
variance on baiting — January 13, 2009
• Contract signed with Urban Wildlife Specialists — (Expired December 30, 2009)
• Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) Grant received — February 4,
2009 — Reimburses 50 percent of costs up to $3,307 (Expires February 4, 2011)
• Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permit signed — January 21, 2009 (Expired
December 31, 2009)
• First culling (3 deer) — January 30, 2009
• Second culling (3 deer) — February 13, 2009
• Third culling (0 deer) — February 28, 2009
• Fourth culling (9 deer) - December 30, 2009
• Beck's Meats processed all deer and distributed the meat to community food pantries
• City Council (Ordinance No. 09 -411) approved creation of the Urban Wildlife Advisory
Committee — Section 5 -29.2 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code — October 27, 2009.
FOUR -STEP MODEL UTILIZED IN 2008 -2009
1) Nonlethal landscape management options taught by expert from Humane Society of the
United States (HSUS). Expenses of trip /travel and instruction paid by HSUS. The expert
created a deer landscape management proposal that included planting unpalatable
vegetation, fencing, repellents, etc. Residents were responsible for reasonable costs to
implement the proposals. Started in spring and effectiveness measured by follow -up survey,
personal visits, deer counts and communication.
2) Enacted an ordinance banning the feeding of deer city -wide. A full research of feasibility has
not been completed yet. Other Wisconsin communities have enacted such a ban.
3) Applied for Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) Grant, and included it
in annual budget request (December deadline).
4) Attempted to reduce /cull the deer herd by 50 -66 percent by hiring rifle sharpshooters from
the "Urban Wildlife Specialists, Inc."
ABATEMENT OPTIONS
• Residents' use of deer repellents
• Scare devices
• Fenced yards
• Landscape management; planting unpalatable plants
• Banning of the feeding of deer
• Containment in enclosed area, such as Vulcan Quarry
• Trapping and euthanasia
• Reduce /cull deer herd by means of lethal force using sharpshooters with rifle or bow
• Contraception
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LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
• Deer damage may be considerably lessened by landscape planning.
• Some plants attract deer and others are more unpalatable to deer. Plants thought to be
effective in repelling deer are: strong - smelling plants in the mint, geranium and marigold
families; any plant in the daffodil family; toxic plants such as in the foxglove and nightshade
families; plants with fuzzy, prickly or sharp leaves; and most ornamental grasses and ferns.
• Plant covers and protective netting can be used.
• Deer -proof fencing can be one of the most effective methods for keeping deer out of yards.
• Wrapping trees with a protective material can help to prevent damage from deer rubbings.
• A wide variety of commercial and homemade repellents can be used to give off smells that
deer associate with a predator but are costly and not effective with large deer herds.
• Scare devices.
• Some fertilizers sprinkled on the soil can act as a repellent.
• The effectiveness of these options may be determined by the extent of damage occurring
and the patterns or habits of deer that have developed over a long period of time.
NOTE: There is no such thing as a completely deer - resistant garden.
TRAPPING AND EUTHANASIA
• Deer are trapped in the city and euthanized at the site of the trap.
• Deer suffer some stress and injuries in the trap.
• Trappers may charge more than $200 - $400 per deer.
• Traps can be used where other methods cannot, but it is not always easy to get deer into the
trap.
• Trapping and relocation is currently banned as an option by the Wisconsin DNR because of
chronic wasting disease (CWD).
CULL HERD BY BOW AND ARROW
• Deer are reduced /culled by professional or recreational bow hunters.
• Humane if the deer is dispatched quickly with a high - quality shot. Can become inhumane if
a poor shot is taken. Chance of injured deer running into neighborhood.
• Cost range is fairly expensive for professional group to very inexpensive if local bow hunters
are used.
• Potential liability and safety concerns that need to be addressed.
• Deer can become wary and it may be time - consuming to remove enough deer.
• No professional bow hunting group was found in our area; only local interested bow hunters
without experience in urban deer problems have come forward and offered their services.
CULL HERD BY RIFLE SHARPSHOOTERS
• Deer are reduced /culled by professional sharpshooters.
• Deer are dispatched quickly with a high - quality shot.
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• Sharpshooters may charge up to $200 per deer.
• This method removes the most deer in the shortest amount of time.
• Very safe option provided there is a good plan in place and it is adhered to.
• This option is effective when the "browse line" and damage caused by deer is severe and
long term. Deer have established feeding habits that may not be altered effectively by
nonlethal options.
• Established professional sharpshooter groups in Wisconsin could be utilized
(licensed /bonded).
• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also conducts sharpshooting, but initial
discussions reveal it may be more costly because USDA manpower hours would also be
charged, and it does not compete with the private sector for bidding.
CONTRACEPTION
• Giving fertility control products to limit the number of deer fawns each year; only a temporary
technique.
• Only applies to female deer.
• Achieved in a variety of ways, including: giving the deer a pill orally, implanting a
contraception device beneath the surface of the deer's skin or administering a shot.
• Costs are being evaluated.
• Researchers have not had good results in testing this method on the large free - roaming
herds.
• Currently, no community in Wisconsin is using this method and it is currently not authorized
by the DNR.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to determine the quantity of deer in sections of the city, an aerial deer -count survey should
be continued each winter. City staff should then review the aerial survey findings to determine if
active deer management is needed.
To actively manage deer, the city should obtain a permit from the DNR if necessary, dependent on
the management option chosen. Once the city has the authority, deer will be harvested. Final
locations will be recommended to the police chief. Deer that are harvested will be processed and
donated to the local food pantry.
City staff will continue to pursue funding options to carry out this plan.
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CANADA GEESE CONTROL
BACKGROUND /FINDINGS
Residents have been and are intent on managing the population of Canada geese within the city of
Oshkosh. Since 2000, the city has applied for the Urban Wildlife Abatement and Control Grant and
has received grant money for many of the past years. The city has pursued goose health testing
and removal activities in Menominee Park and various other city parks. The city of Oshkosh seeks
to maintain a consistent level of abatement procedures to enforce actions previously performed as
recommended by the USDA. Though there is no crop loss in the nonagricultural city of Oshkosh,
Canada geese generate a significant amount of fecal waste in parks causing a concern for disease
transmission. This poses a public health hazard when children and adults are in direct contact with
goose fecal matter that extends to the sports fields, playground and the shelters. Additionally, with
a growing permanent population, increasingly aggressive bird behavior interferes with human
activity, resulting in greater public concern over goose nuisance and human safety in the park.
The goal is to remove 100 geese and addle eggs in at least 10 nests annually throughout the park
system.
Throughout the past years, the city has performed several nonlethal abatement techniques on
geese.
Goose repellant spray: Applied grape extract product to discourage geese from occupying
Menominee Park.
Frightening geese: Installed black flags to deter Menominee Park as suitable habitat. Also, plastic
swans were placed in the pond. One swan was stolen and the geese gathered around the
remaining swan.
Loud noises: The police department has fired shotgun blanks that temporarily relocate the geese.
They quickly return to the park when the shooting ceases.
Tall grasses at water's edge: To deter geese from nesting at the edge of the pond, the bordering
grass is not mowed.
Dogs on the loose: On a controlled basis, free - running dogs have roamed the park to frighten
away geese.
Egg depredation: With a Federal Fish and Wildlife permit, the city sought out nests in the park
and shook the eggs and/or covered the eggs with vegetable oil to prevent birth.
Bird collection and euthanization: Also with a Federal Fish and Wildlife permit, juvenile and
adult birds are collected and euthanized.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended to continue egg addling, bird collection and euthanization and leaving tall
grasses at the water's edge in the future to control the goose population. Furthermore, city
residents should not feed the geese in the park or on their own property. The city's police
department should continue enforcement of regulations pertaining to feeding on public property.
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INDIVIDUAL WILDLIFE CONTROL
TO BE CONDUCTED BY RESIDENTS ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY
The following information has been provided by the "Internet Center for Wildlife Damage
Management. " For more information, please visit the city website at www. ci. oshkosh. wi. us or the
DNR website at www. dnr state. wi. us /org /land /wildlife /pullindex htm wildlife control links.
Wisconsin State Statutes allow property owners to manage coyotes, foxes, raccoons, woodchucks,
rabbits and squirrels on their property without a hunting or trapping license. Visit the DNR website
for more information. Per City of Oshkosh Municipal Code Section 17-4, "No person shall fire or
discharge any gun, pistol, fowling piece or other firearm within the limits of the city, except in the
necessary defense of his person or property."
COYOTE
Although coyotes do not pose major wildlife concerns presently, they are being included in the
wildlife management program as a species to monitor.
Coyotes now exist in virtually every type of habitat in North America and feed on rabbits, rodents,
insects, livestock, poultry, fruits, vegetative matter and small pets. They are most active at night
and early morning, except when there is minimal human interference they may be active during the
day. Coyotes bed in sheltered areas, but do not generally use dens except when raising young.
Accepted control methods:
• Noise - making devices and flashing lights may be used to provide temporary protection in
relatively small areas. Combinations of frightening devices used at irregular intervals should
provide better protection than use of a single device, because animals may have more
difficulty in adapting to these disturbances.
• Bring in cat/dog food (even if it's a temporary measure).
• Contact local nuisance control /licensed professional for removal (check local Yellow Pages).
FOX
Foxes are primarily nocturnal and prefer areas with cover. They have been pushed into urban
areas to seek shelter from coyotes. Foxes feed on poultry, small livestock, free - ranging pets, game
birds, eggs and fruits.
Accepted control methods:
• Foxes readily adapt to noise - making devices such as propane exploders, timed taped
recordings, amplifiers, or radios, but such devices may temporarily reduce activity in the
area.
• Flashing lights may also provide temporary protection in relatively small areas.
• Combinations of frightening devices used at irregular intervals should provide better
protection than use of a single device, because animals may have more difficulty adapting to
these disturbances.
• Bring in cat/dog food (even if it's a temporary measure).
• Contact local nuisance control /licensed professional for removal (check local Yellow Pages).
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CATS
House cats are not considered wildlife, but because they can cause damage to bird species and
other wildlife, they are included. Feral cats prefer areas in and around human habitation and feed
on rodents, rabbits, shrews, moles, birds, insects, reptiles, fish, vegetation and leftover pet food.
Feral cats are offspring of domesticated cats, but who have never been handled by or associated
with humans; feral cats are rarely protected under state law. It is easier to turn feral kitties into
companion pets if they are removed from their mother no later than six weeks of age and
socialized.
Accepted control methods:
• Cats can be kept away from your property by repairing windows, doors and plugging holes in
your house.
• Repellents can be obtained from pet stores or garden supply stores that are irritating to cats.
Repellants must be applied frequently outside and there is little evidence of the chemicals'
effectiveness.
• Dogs that show aggression to cats.
• Do not feed your pets outside.
• Register your house cat and place a collar on your cat.
• Do not let your house cat outside unsupervised.
• Spay and /or neuter your house cat.
• Keep vaccinations current on your house cat.
• If you locate a lost or stray cat, contact the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.
• Feral cat informational website — Trap Neuter Release (TNR) www.alleycat.org
• Contact local nuisance control /licensed professional for removal (check local Yellow Pages).
RACCOONS /OPOSSUMS
Raccoons and opossums are common throughout the city of Oshkosh. They are nocturnal, and
they den in hollow trees, brush piles, storm sewers, rock crevices, etc. Raccoons and opossums
eat both plant and animal foods including birds and eggs. They can cause considerable damage to
garden crops. In addition, they may cause damage to buildings trying to gain entrance through
attics and chimneys. They may also cause damage when they raid garbage cans for food.
Raccoons and opossums have been identified as the major wildlife host of rabies in the United
States, and they can be aggressive.
Accepted control methods:
• Store garbage in metal or tough plastic containers with tight- fitting lids.
• Prevent raccoon /opossum access to chimneys by securely fastening a commercial cap of
sheet metal and heavy screen over the top of the chimney.
• Limit access to rooftops by removing overhanging branches.
• Remove any obvious sources of food or shelter.
• Secure rolls of new sod with long wire pins if feasible, or place new sod in late spring /early
summer since raccoons dig new sod up in middle to late summer looking for worms.
• Contact local nuisance control /licensed professional for removal (check local Yellow Pages).
• Informational website on trapping — http: / /www.dnr. state .wi.us /org /land /wildlife /pub/
(Wisconsin DNR).
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WHITE- FOOTED MICE /RODENTS
White- footed mice are widely distributed and prefer wooded or brushy areas. They are primarily
seed eaters, but will frequently feed on nuts, acorns, insects and some green vegetation. The mice
are mostly nocturnal. The principal problem caused by white - footed mice is their tendency to enter
homes and can cause damage to furniture, clothing or other material suitable for nesting.
Accepted control methods:
• Fix any openings in your house larger than % inch.
• Use folded hardware cloth (wire mesh) of % inch or smaller to protect newly seeded garden
plots. Bury the edges of the wire several inches beneath the soil.
• Store food and seed in rodent -proof containers.
• Moth balls or flakes may effectively repel mice from closed areas where a sufficient
concentration of the chemical can be attained in the air.
• Bait or ordinary mouse traps are effective in catching mice.
• Contact local nuisance control /licensed professional for removal (check local Yellow Pages).
GRAY SQUIRRELS /CHIPMUNKS
Squirrels may occasionally damage trees by chewing bark from branches and trunks. They
sometimes travel power lines and short out transformers, gnaw on wires, enter buildings and build
nests in attics. Squirrels may also damage lawns by burying or searching for and digging up nuts.
Accepted control methods:
• Cut tree branches at least 10 feet away from roof line.
• Wrap tree trunks with 12 feet or greater aluminum, from a home or garden store, at least six
feet off ground.
• Screen attic vents from outside with the Y4 -inch hardware cloth to prevent entry.
• Cap all chimney flues with professionally manufactured stainless steel caps.
• Contact local nuisance control /licensed professional for removal (check local Yellow Pages).
• Informational website on trapping — http: / /www.dnr. state .wi.us /orq /land /wildlife /pub/
(Wisconsin DNR).
BEARIWOLVES /COUGARS
Contact local DNR Service Center at (920) 424 -3050.
NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTACT INFORMATION
❖ Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR):
o http: / /dnr.wi.gov
o http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wiIdlife/damage/nuswiguide.pdf
o 1- 888 - 936 -7463
❖ United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
o http: / /www.usda._qov
o 1- 800 - 727 -9540
Oj
❖ Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS)
o http: / /www.oahsi o
o 1- 920 - 424 -2128
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