MAYOR'S CORNER 

You may remember a few months ago, the problem with deer in West County again emerged.  Deer in neighborhoods, what's the problem -- they are a beautiful animal and besides, they were here first!  For Clarkson Valley, living with our deer population has its plusses and minuses.  Most of us over the years have enjoyed the excitement of sighting a fawn or a buck with a big rack.  Starting about 10 years ago, the City began receiving complaints about our increasing deer population.  This population increase was happening throughout West St. Louis County, estimates running as high as 59 deer per square mile.  For a healthy deer population, the number of deer per square mile is around 20.  In September 2003, the Missouri Department of Conservation formed a task force to address the problem.  This task force consisted of a single representative from the following entities:  St. Louis County Council, St. Louis County Parks; Missouri Departments of Conservation (MDC) and Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and a representative from each of the eleven West St. Louis County municipalities.  Clarkson Valley's Alderperson, Susan Shea, served as our representative.  This group's commitment was to work with individuals and communities to meet wildlife management needs. 

At its first meeting, this group identified the different contributing factors to the growth of deer herds, some of which include: reduced hunting, improved food sources and intentional feeding.  Some problems large herds of deer pose are: the potential for vehicle collisions; over-eating of forested areas; damage to landscaping and gardens; lyme disease; and the sheer number of deer themselves.  An aerial survey count by the Missouri Department of Conservation taken in January 2004, primarily in the western portion of our City, indicated over 86 deer per square mile.  As indicated above, this is 4 times the number for a healthy herd.  Based on this, the question to the group was, "How do we best manage this problem?" 

After reviewing alternative abatement methods, the task force agreed the number one method is managed hunts.  To test public reaction to this method, the Missouri Department of Conservation mailed 5600 questionnaires to West St. Louis County residents in February 2004.  By June, 49.8%-completed surveys were returned.  In Clarkson Valley, 55.86% were returned.  The results were overwhelming for managed hunts.  Before the City Council took any action, we held a series of public hearings, held discussions with the Missouri Department of Conservation, received input from various Bow Hunter Organizations and individual bow hunters. 

During the spring of 2004, Clarkson Valley allowed the Missouri Department of Conservation to hold a controlled deer hunt.  With no reports of impropriety and many requests from residents asking the City to consider more hunts, the Board continued to look at all options. 

With this information, the City Council refined the finer points of a proposed ordinance.  During the summer of 2004, and after much discussion and many meetings, the ordinance was passed in October 2004.  That hunting season, eighty-one (81) deer were harvested.  Of those, seven were bucks.  Twenty-five homes participated in the hunt.  In the 2005-2006 season, fifty-two (52) deer were harvested; six were bucks.  In the 2006-2007 season, fifty-seven (57) deer were harvested; three were bucks. 

Here are some highlights of the ordinance: 

• The City does not authorize any hunt.  The homeowners authorize a hunt on his/her property.
• Archery devices are the only hunting devices allowed.
• All current Missouri laws as regards to hunting are to be obeyed.
• All hunters must have completed the Missouri Department of Conservation archery device hunter safety course.
• There are numerous stipulations, i.e.: method of arrow discharge, location on the property, hunter elevation, etc.
• Contiguous neighbors are to be notified of the hunt.

The entire ordinance can be found on our web site: wwwclarksonvalley.org.  The current hunting season is open and there are thirty (30) households participating. 

We are not suggesting these hunts will be a cure all, however, over time it is believed it will help maintain a more healthy deer population.  So we can continue to enjoy the excitement of deer sightings.