HomeMy WebLinkAboutCornell Plantations Deer Management Plans.PDFTo: Residents of Forest Home
) From: Chds Wien, Acting Director, Cornell Plantations
) Re: Comell Plantations Deer Management Plans
) Over the past few months, Cornell Univetsity has been studying ways to
> control the burgeoning deer population on campus and surrounding lands.
> The Plantations has taken part in this study because its plantings and
> rratutal ateas have been sevetely affected by the high deer population.
) I am writing to inform you of the details of the tesulting plan for
) the Cornell Plantations.
) In ateas closest to campus, Dr. Paul Curtis will manage a live
> trapping and stedlization program as a means to stabilize herd size.
) In part of the Wildflowet Gatden and in small sections o.f the woods
> east of the Arbotetum, exclusionaqy fencing will be erected to
) demonstrate the effect of deer overpopulation on vegetation and to
> protect vulnerable native plant species.
> The final component of our deer management plan is to permit legal bow
> hunting in the woods abutting the Arbotetum. This piogram will fully
> comply with all New York State lau's and Depattment of Envitonmental
) Conservation (DEC) regulations. In addition, Plantations staff and
) Cornell Police wi[ screen and monitor all huntets to ensure safeW.+"
> Hunting will occut between November 10 and Decernber 15 in the woods on
> both sides of Fall Cteek and in SlimJim Woods. Fluntets will be
> festficted to tree stands, to the houts between dawn and 8 a.m., and
) to ateas at least 500 feet ftom the neafest residence. Venison not
) wanted by the hunters will be donated to a food bank.
> We are proceeding with these control strategies for fall 2006 in otder
) to limit damage in the winter and spting of 2007. Concurtently, the
> D'epartment of Natutal Resources at Cornell is circulating a survey
) about deet damage and control to residents living near Cornell. Based
) on our success in managing the deer population at the ilantationsrthis
> fall and the reSults of that survey, we will chart a futther course of '
) action fot 2007-08. We will keep you apprised of any new developments.
) We have been consulting closely with the officers of the Forest Flome) Improvement Associatiori, and our proposed actions match closely theit) tecommendations on deer management, as presented to Cotnell officials) onAugust?L,2006.
> I hope you agtee that prompt, prudent action is needed to begin) teducing the deer population in our neighbothood. Indeed, we hope that
) out effotts on Plantations land help reduce the ptessure on yout and) othet non-Cornell ptopeties. We will ptoceed with the utmost caution.
) Please dontt hesitate to contact me if vou would like to discuss our
> plans.
> This Fotest Home News comes to you ftom the Forest Home Imptovement
) Association GHIA) http:/ lfhia.ors