Are the deer that roam throughout the community a nuisance or something to be celebrated?

The city councils of both Burns and Hines passed resolutions declaring that the deer population has risen to levels constituting a public nuisance, and that allows the cities to petition the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for assistance in reducing the deer numbers within city limits.

Since the resolutions were passed, residents from both sides of the issue have expressed their opinions at council meetings for the past several months.

Senate Bill 373, passed by the Oregon legislature in 2017, states: “The State Fish and Wildlife Commission shall develop and adopt by rule a pilot program for urban deer population control that: (a) Following the passage by a city of an ordinance, resolution, or order declaring that deer populations have risen to levels that constitute a public nuisance, allows the city to petition the State Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance in reducing deer population levels within city limits; and (b) In cities where the department determines that deer populations do constitute a public nuisance, allows a local government body or an appropriate agent to take deer for the purpose of reducing deer population levels. (3) To implement the pilot program under this section, the department shall consult with: (a) The governing bodies of cities where high urban deer populations are a concern; and (b) Food banks or other charitable organizations that serve the governing bodies described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. (4) Rules for the pilot program adopted by the commission must include, but need not be limited to: (a) Provisions for the means and manner by which deer may be taken under the pilot program, which must include a prohibition on taking deer by dart or lethal injection; (b) Provisions for ensuring, to the extent feasible, that the edible portions of any deer taken under the pilot program are distributed, at the expense of the local government, to a local food bank or other charitable organization; (c) A requirement that, if the hides and antlers of a deer taken under the program are not sold by the local government to persons licensed under ORS 498.019, that the antlers must be surrendered to the department; and (d) Provisions for ensuring that the number of deer taken under the pilot program do not exceed the number necessary to be taken to reduce the deer population to a level that no longer constitutes a public nuisance.”

At the Hines Common Council meeting on Feb. 26, Councilor Gary Miller addressed several of residents’ concerns. Miller stated he met several times with ODFW Wildlife Biologist Rod Klus to discuss alternatives to dealing with the deer population. One idea presented was forming a group of volunteers to capture and transplant the deer, which would remove the liability and expense from ODFW and the city. Miller said the response from Klus led him to believe that ODFW would not entertain that idea.

Another idea was to give does an injection to make them sterile, but Klus said that idea was attempted on wild horses, and it was ineffective.

A doe hunt outside city limits was suggested, but Miller was told that, last year, the existing Harney Basin Agriculture doe hunt extended its boundaries to include the surrounding areas of Burns and Hines. Miller said he thought this approach offered potential in reducing the urban deer population, but only time and surveys would tell if this method is an effective solution.

Miller said he and Klus agreed that the overall number of urban deer is down, as well as the number of sick deer. As far as sick deer, there have been no reports of deer with Bluetongue disease, and the disease cannot infect humans or domestic pets, or be transmitted to other deer.

Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease (AHD) has been found in local deer, but doesn’t pose a risk to livestock, pets, or people from contact or consumption of the meat.

Miller said that, last year, it was stated that, “It’s just a matter of time before a deer attacks someone.”

“I would challenge anyone to go online and try to find a murderous deer,” Miller said. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but neither is getting struck by lightning, being bit by a rattlesnake, or having a tree limb fall on you.”

Miller’s recommendation was to enforce the ordinance that prohibits residents from feeding the deer, and see if the Harney Basin Agriculture doe hunt makes a difference before seeking the kill tags through ODFW.

Miller stated that the city needs to find out how the majority of the residents feel about the deer by mailing out a survey to residents. He said he would pay for the survey out of his own pocket if need be, but the cost of the survey would be roughly the same amount the city would pay for the processing of one deer taken in the control program.

“In conclusion, I think it’s reckless to be the first city in Oregon to go forward with this, and it’s definitely reckless to go forward with this without at least knowing what your community actually wants,” Miller said.

It was noted that the city already put a survey on Facebook, but it was pointed out that a survey of that type has no controls. One person could make up several different emails in order to vote numerous times, not giving the city valid results.

The council agreed to send out a survey on paper with the next water bills.

Several other audience members spoke against the deer control program.

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City Administrator Kirby Letham reported that the lift station that serves the southern portion of the city is in the process of being repaired. He said the project was delayed a bit because of weather and parts arriving, but it is expected to be completed by March 15.

Letham said that, for the current fiscal year, the city budgeted $159,363 for street repair. That money was specifically earmarked at the time for repairs to Roe Davis Avenue and Hanley Avenue. Letham said he wasn’t sure how much work could be done for that amount, but the city is already budgeting about $150,000 for the next fiscal year to continue with the plan.

Councilor Hilda Allison asked why Roe Davis is the priority when West Hanley is a school bus route that is in dire need of repair. She added that the potholes on West Hanley cause damage to the buses, which, in turn, costs the school district more money.

Letham said that was the plan when he took over as city administrator, but he would check with the Oregon Department of Transportation about changing the order of repairs. Letham said the city is always looking at ways to make the dollars go farther to repair as many streets as possible.

As far as upcoming events, Letham reported that the Dollar Tree would be holding a soft opening on Feb. 28, with a grand opening scheduled for March 2.

Letham said the company Biodynamics is expected to have an alfalfa pellet mill up and running by June.

T. Bosch LLC purchased the Big Bear restaurant, with plans to be open in early April for the bird festival.

The new laundromat, to be located next to the Hines Post Office, is expected to open in mid-April, and West Ridge Apartments is hoping to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in May.

There were some questions about the income restrictions for residents at the West Ridge Apartments, and the council said it would invite a representative of the project to the next meeting to answer those questions.

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The council approved business licenses for Billt Right LLC, a construction company owned by William Anderson; Frank’s Mobile Auto Repair, owned by Frank Solors; and for Bosch’s Big Bear restaurant, owned by Tom Bosch.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at city hall.