Councilman on New Deer Hunting Map: ‘This is Just Dumb’

Two weeks after Councilman David Kos that qualify for hunting under the proposed bow hunting legislation now being reviewed, another map was released by . James is council’s representative to the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB), who is recommending bow hunting on parcels 5 acres or larger with an occupied structure no closer than 101 feet.

James said the new map, prepared by dentified 11 properties upon which hunting can currently occur under the deer management program that was implemented in 2004.

“These are the 11 properties that were generally discussed as the EAAB was preparing its proposal for its deer management program,” James said. “Both Mr. Reitz and Chief Owad were involved in the identification of those properties, as I understand it, as far back as 2004.”

James said the new map circulated by Kos was created when Reitz was on vacation and Reitz was unable to review it.

“It follows the language that the EAAB drafted for its proposed program,” James said. “However, the EAAB always talked about the 11 properties in its discussions of the matter.”

Kos said that doesn’t matter

“The revised map doesn’t change one thing at all,” he said. “The EAAB said in a series of meetings it intended it only be the 11 properties, yet they drafted up legislation that didn’t specify that in writing.”

Kos said to be fair, the EAAB are not legislators.

“But it should have been mentioned,” Kos said. “The fact they drafted 5 acres or more in black and white includes those properties (on Kos’ map).

“That’s a failure on their part. The law as they wrote it does not exclude any property 5 acres or more.”

Kos still found plenty of fault in allowing hunting on most of the properties on James’ revised map, including parcel no. 2 near Center near the Walker and Moore roads intersection.

“I wonder how that business is going to be affected if they knew there could be hunting across the street,” Kos said. “Weiss Field is a couple of hundred feet away. That site is a bad fit.”

He noted that a fleeing injured deer could run into one of the city’s busiest intersections.

“And the last thing you want when you drop off your kid off is a truck dragging a deer and a hunter with a bow slung over his back,” Kos said.

Parcel no. 10 on the map, a small parcel on the northeast corner of Lear and Walker roads, drew another negative review from Kos.

“This is just dumb,” he said. “It’s right by Learwood Middle School. An arrow can travel 900 feet.”

Properties to the north of parcel no. 6 are for sale.

“That’s valuable Pin Oak properties,” Kos said. “What developer would spend millions develop property knowing there is legalized hunting right behind them?

“It’s a terrible idea.”

Kos acknowledged that many problems would go away if council knew where stood on the issue. He owns a number of parcels that would qualify for hunting (see PDF for who owns the 11 parcels).

“It would be beneficial if we all knew where Mr. Kopf stands on this,” Kos said. “Unfortunately he’s pulled into this, but he’s an important part of this.”

Kopf has not publicly stated yet if he would allow hunting on parcels he owns.

Kos said the only property that would appear feasible for bow hunting is parcel no. 1, but that is not where most of the deer problems have been reported.

Council is continuing to review the proposed legislation.