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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021.07.22 Public Comments - McCall City Council Regular MeetingID 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 Start time 7/12/2021 7:28:42 AM 7/15/2021 4:53:11 PM 7/15/2021 10:45:55 PM 7/16/2021 10:11:52 PM 7/18/2021 1:14:15 PM 7/18/2021 3:37:09 PM 7/19/2021 7:26:40 AM 7/19/2021 7:31:54 AM 7/19/2021 9:55:59 AM 7/19/2021 10:43:47 AM 7/19/2021 12:14:42 PM 7/19/2021 1:11:05 PM 7/19/2021 2:33:39 PM 7/19/2021 3:00:58 PM 7/19/2021 3:43:43 PM 7/19/2021 5:32:55 PM 7/19/2021 6:15:29 PM 7/19/2021 6:49:56 PM 7/19/2021 8:52:28 PM 7/19/2021 9:00:37 PM 7/19/2021 9:16:56 PM 7/19/2021 9:51:42 PM 7/20/2021 5:40:23 AM 7/20/2021 6:32:22 AM 7/20/2021 8:12:09 AM 7/20/2021 8:31:39 AM 7/20/2021 8:32:47 AM 7/20/2021 9:14:45 AM 7/20/2021 9:39:19 AM 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7/22/2021 9:49:51 AM 7/22/2021 10:01:26 AM 7/22/2021 10:01:51 AM 7/22/2021 10:36:57 AM 7/22/2021 10:46:05 AM 7/22/2021 10:50:16 AM 7/22/2021 10:53:45 AM 7/22/2021 10:56:02 AM 7/22/2021 11:00:40 AM 7/22/2021 11:58:22 AM 7/22/2021 12:18:41 PM 7/22/2021 12:20:54 PM 7/22/2021 12:27:30 PM 7/22/2021 12:49:20 PM 7/22/2021 12:51:29 PM 7/22/2021 1:00:06 PM 7/22/2021 1:01:37 PM 7/22/2021 1:05:39 PM 7/22/2021 1:07:47 PM 7/22/2021 1:51:18 PM 7/22/2021 2:28:34 PM 7/22/2021 2:34:12 PM 7/22/2021 2:54:16 PM Email anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous anonymous Name Enter First and Last Name - A bona fide name is required in order for public comment to be communicated to council. Anthony Yeamans Marlene Bailey Dr. Laurie Bower RICK RANSOM Tom Stewart Linda Graham Pamela Johnson Kathy Sawdy Meilani Pruitt Jenny Fawcett Susan McCandless Christine Reino Lynne Hodges Scott Tunnell Barbara Brown Marta Paulson Patty Hickman Darlene Kohout E. Davis ReNae Bradfield Joseph E. Pietri Lea Albright Margo Flaherty Sharon Chaloupka Sandra Hurst Kim Batt-Lincoln We are saddened and angered regarding the apparent dismissive attitude being displayed by the effort to relocate and/or euthanize these creatures. For the many years we lived here, the deer and wildlife were a significant contribution to our perceived quality of life. Now upon returning for visits we look forward to encountering all the wildlife, deer particularly. The effort to relocate the deer is ill advised and contrary to the charm that once was McCall. Kelley Rylander Heidi Bogert Peggy Holmes Jennie Tunnell Sandie Schaumburg Shanafelt Melinda A. Belt Wlliam Marineau Kristi Christensen James Christensen Sherrie Kober Katharina Roth Danielle Gray Eddie Gray Ginny Ackley Ernie Revello Jennifer Jensen Phil Jensen Deborah Garland John Fawcett Patty Hickman Lisa Wood Deb Storey Marilyn Olson Colleen Ross Pamela Willett Steve & Judy Gleason Phillip Custer Peggy Bryan Dan O'Malley Jan Hamilton Kim Batt-Lincoln Kristy Enbysk Michael Sorensen Leila Farley Benjamin osterwald Cathy J Brown John Segar Kathy Reinholtz Liz Tash Rick B. Eardley Gail Draper Amy Leaf Garianne Mabe Glenda Mattox Brad Bartlett Deborah Wetherell Ron Mattox Laurie Plummer Donna Hoffman Julie Conrad Julie Conrad Julie Conrad Julie Conrad Julie Conrad Ryan Jain Jennifer Garland Cary Youmans Jim, Debra, and Angela Staup Rena McKean Mark Sherourne Darlene Kohout Don & vivian driscoll Holly Osterwald Angela Staup Tammarack Gillingham Suzanne Lowe Joey Pietri Connie Ickes Complete Street Address 703 Kasper st 1090 Bellflower Place 5057 N. Lolo Pass Way 601 Thompson 15346 N Horseshoe Bend Rd 2182 N Eureka Pl 4766 N Jaguar ave 1391 Greystone / Box 2750 30908 Paradise Commons Apt 127 Paradise Commons Apt 127 1340 Ridgeway Lane 1634 lakeridge dr north, PO Box 2223 129 Stibnite #7 1406 Club Hill Boulevard, McCall, Idaho 83638 1569 Warren Wagon Rd 1533 Warren Wagon Rd 624 Ruby Street 1603 Davis Ave 917 Fairway Dr 14b 325 valley Springs Rd 705 Broken Rein Rd 225 Valley Springs Rd. P.O. Box 2741 105 Forest Place 2024 S. Pacific St 7040 W 32nd Ave 215 Roark Lane/former resident 201 Roark Lane 10546 West Hawk Hill Street 3050 S Raindrop 1209 N Ashland ave 1569 Warren Wagon Rd. 5614 lakewood ave 960 Sylvan Creek 821 Heritage Sq. 3306 Shaggy Mane Ct. 906 conifer street 906 conifer street 715 Fir St 14006 Comfort Road 705 Reedy lane 705 Reedy Ln 250 Cold Creek Court 504 N Samson Trail 917 Camas Place 917 Camas Place 1656 Davis Avenue 1340 Ridgeway Lane 1603 Davis Ave 432 Rio Vista Blvd, Unit B 1010 Northview 890 Timber Ridge Ct 915 Camas Place 7350 Gary Lane 341 Memo Circle 691 N. Samson Trail 507 Brundage drive 1535 McCall Avenue 702 W Lakeside 216 Roark Lane 904 Imperial Way, 905 Pennfield Place 902 N. Imperial Way 1603 Davis Ave 214 W Lake St. 1031 Bitterroot Dr 10543 Edgeway Dr 13762 Horizon View Rd. 201 Roark Ln. 190 Krahn Lane 14059 Pioneer Rd 806 E Maine Ave 13650 S Coquille St 1610 S Loggers Pond Place, Apt. 16 3550 KP Cove Rd 13650 S. Coquille St 323 W Jefferson, #501 850 Shelia Ln 1423 Eagle Drive 1423 Eagle Drive 1423 Eagle Drive 1423 Eagle Drive 1423 Eagle Drive 1410 Boydstun Loop 1656 Davis Ave 1327 W 1845 S 1624 Davis Ave. 543 Mountain Street 13962 easy St. 917 Fairway Dr 14b 1407 warren wagon rd 1603 Davis Avenue 1624 Davis Ave 5437 Big Willow Rd. 6373 Robinson Road 225 Valley Springs Rd. 1915 Bear Basin Road City McCall McCall Meridian McCall Garden Coty Meridian Boise McCall Fernandina Beach McCall mccall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall Mccall Donnelly Boise Kennewick Freeport Freeport Boise Boise e Wenatchee McCall Caldwell McCall Decatur McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall M McCall McCall McCall McCall Mccall McCall McCall McCall McCall Boise McCall McCall Mccall McCall McCall Freeport Boise Caldwell Boise McCall McCall McCall Middleton McCall Freeport McCall McCall Nampa Nampa Boise McCall Nampa, Id Boise McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall Logan McCall Middleton McCall McCall McCall McCall McCall Payette Kuna McCall McCall State Idaho ID ID Idaho Idaho Id Idaho ID FL Idaho ID Idaho ID IDAHO Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho ID Idaho Idaho Id Idaho Id Wa TX Texas Idaho ID wa Idaho Idaho ID GA ID Idaho Idaho Idaho ID Idaho Id Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho ID ID ID Idaho Id Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho ID TX ID ID ID Idaho Id ID IDAHO ID Texas ID ID ID IDAHO Idaho Idaho Idaho ID Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho ID ID UT ID ID ID Idaho ID Idaho ID Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho Zip Code 83638 83638 83646 83638 83714 83646 83713 83638 32034 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83738 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83615 83705 99338 77541 77541 83714 83706 98802 83638 83607 83638 30033 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83538 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83605 83638 83638 83714 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 77541 83704 83605 83704 83638 83638 83638 83644 83638 77541 83638 83638 83686 83651 83706 83638 83651 87302 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 83638 84321 83638 83644 83638 83638 83638 83638 84638 83661 83634 83638 83638 Enter Public Comment - All Public Comments are public record If a position became available on the Airport Advisory Committee I would like to be considered. Why? I live with my wife Stephanie below the approach so Jets and USFS aircraft as well as personal aircraft are above us most days. Additionally, I am an aeronautical student studying ground school. I am also a college graduate with an extensive business and volunteer background. Six years as a volunteer Idaho EMT. Thanks Anthony With reference to the deer feeding/relocating agenda item, I would think that explanation and warning would be enough to deter those who might feed the resident deer extensively. There is so much natural feed for them in Spring, Summer and Fall that no extra feeding is necessary. They are interested in our ground food for the grouse and quail but aren't compulsive about it. A nibble here and there and off they go. The deer on our hillside (the eastern moraine) stay until the 3'-4' snow pack sends them closer to town, where they seem to browse the last of the berries and leaves, before turning to lichen and even needles. It seems that safety, not residents' bird seed or grains is their objective. The deer here have never been a nuisance but have kept their distance where we can enjoy seeing them. I am sorry that there has been aggression towards small dogs or children. Our cats have been safe outside in the daytime, even when there are tiny fawns with their mothers. If dogs are on leash or in fenced yards, they should be safe. I agree with those who have written that part of the problem with deer being hurt or killed by cars is ourselves and not the deer. Don and I have never hit a deer in 25 years of living in McCall. We drive as though deer will jump out of the brush and cross the road at any moment, watching carefully and staying under the speed limits. Could there be many more of the deer crossing signs, that show the leaping deer, put up around town? Putting them near the 20 and 25 mile per hour signs would remind us all to slow down for our deer and foxes. We have seen only one mountain lion in all of these years, and that was while we were driving east of town and it was walking along minding its own business . I hope there can be a resolution that keeps this in proportion and does not result in transporting our deer. They should be able to live their lives here in their family groups within this lush forest area without our bothering them. Thank you. I have lived in Idaho for over 65 years now. In that time, I have been a camper and camp counselor at Alice Pittenger, I've camped and fished along the lake, and I've stayed numerous times at a hotel in the McCall area to hike around the lake, use a boat on the lake and enjoy its beauty. It is my fervent desire, as a native Idahoan, that McCall not become another Coeur d'Alene. If you know what's happened there, developers have been allowed to take what was once public land and create almost all private accesses to the lake. Please don't allow that to happen to Payette Lake. Don't make decisions based solely upon monetary benefits. Once developers get in there, McCall will never be the same again. We moved here 2 years ago for the atmosphere, the people, and the neighborhood. We are thrilled to have the deer come through our property. We are now greeting the third generation of deer since we moved here. Please do not have the deer removed! They a a big part of the fabric of this community. In hearing about the plan to remove the town deer, I was very disappointed. Though I no longer live in Mccall, I did live there for twenty one years. Seeing the deer roaming around town always put a smile on my face. It was pure enjoyment. They, along with the foxes, gave the town a character of its own. Even the bears reminded you that you were in the mountains. I know most of the visitors enjoyed seeing them. You would hear them talking about it. And interacting with the visitors (a Brundage patroller for twenty years), it came out that they, the deer, were part of McCall’s character. I don’t know what brought this up. Was there complaints about them? Couldn’t have been many. Places like Banff, Alberta have wildlife living within there towns, and the wildlife are welcomed and enjoyed by thousands of visitors. Please let the town deer be. It will not be the same Mccall without them. There’s enough going on that’s changing the character of the town, don’t add to that. Thank you. Tom Stewart I have been following the story of removing and relocating the deer in the area. Being raised in Boise I have visited and recreated in McCall for over 40 years. "City Deer" have been around forever and is part of the uniqueness of McCall. Relocating the deer will not solve the problem as they will just keep coming into town. How much research has been done on this issue? What have other small mountain towns in the West done about their deer? There has to be other alternatives. I think McCall has bigger issues to address such as traffic, parking and affordable housing to tackle. Every city has a finite budget and I feel the financial resources should be spent on those people issues. I am not in favor of the eradicate process that McCalls Mayor is trying to pass However I think relocation is the best option! Dear City Council. Please do not allow the eradication of the deer population in the city of McCall. It seems to me to be an unnecessary expense that research shows does not work effectively. How can you remove the wildlife that comes from Ponderosa Park? Please do not spend our money on this project. I pray you do the right thing and listen to the citizens of McCall who clearly do not want this to pass. I will not vote for any city council member who votes to remove the deer. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. Your job is to listen to the citizens of McCall and do the will of the people. THANK YOU FOR VOTING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE! I am very angered and saddened to here the city’s plan to cull all deer… This is barbaric and there are better, modern, educational solutions to this problem. Let’s teach people not to feed deer rather than kill them. We are above this and I hope your county is too. Please don’t be heartless. They are not a nuisance, they are a life. Ban feeding of the deer. Educate the public. Do NOT transport deer/eradicate deer. Deer come into our area for many reasons and they will continue to come into our area. We have lots of grass, flowers and vegetation they eat. Simply trapping and moving them as a one time effort simply will not work. So Fish and Game traps and moves the deer at a cost of $50,000 for this one time effort? Is this practice to be continued indefinitely? There is no common sense attached to the “science” of Fish and Game. City council, listen to the overwhelming voices of the people you purportedly represent. The vast majority are against the proposal of transport/eradication. I am writing to register opposition to the transport/eradicate the local “town” deer. Thank you for your consideration. I oppose the transport/eradication of town deer!! I feel there's a way to maintain our small town atmosphere where full-time residents and visitors alike can enjoy our community that includes wildlife rather than an atmosphere about convenience or inconvenience. Please find an alternative means or simply let this issue drop entirely. I oppose any proposal to transport/eradicate the local deer from McCall. I’m concerned that the city council is going against the wishes of the people who live, work, and play in the City of McCall and it’s Impact Area. I’m referring specifically to the council’s vote to eradicate/transport the McCall “Town Deer”. Enact a law to fine people who feed deer - fine. End it there and let nature take its course. I hope you listen to the voices of those who, via the survey, responded overwhelmingly asking the city council to refrain from eradication and transfer of “Town Deer”. For the council members who didn’t listen to your constituents at the last city council meeting, I ask you to reconsider as you vote on the 22nd of July on this issue and vote no to eradicate and transport the “McCall Town Deer” Open up your hearts to what the town of McCall wants regarding the deer.This is just plain stupid...I'm against the plan. Let’s focus on the lack of housing in McCall and other pertinent issues instead of this nonsense of relocating the local wildlife! An entire sweet family of deer cross my backyard daily. They are beautiful and the thought of removing them is horrifying. We have never once fed them. As far as our family is concerned, it is our opinion that we are encroaching on their natural habitat of the woods and high country. I have been reading and most deer remediation programs are highly ineffective. Deer are are part of McCall life and my first memories of seeing them are from the early 60’s. I have to wonder what it is that we are doing to our beautiful McCall. Commercializing for growth? What do we love? Our fancy shrubs or the natural beauty afforded us through the wildlife and incredible natural beauty around us. We as humans should honor animals and not cause undue harm for our own selfish benefits. People come to the mountains on the off chance that they may possibly see wildlife in Nature! What have we become. I wonder. This letter is in opposition to the proposed ordinance about the removal of town deer as it is written. Not enough research has been done by the Fish and Game or the Chief of Police to make such a radical decision. If you take the Police Chief at his word the number of nuisance calls over the past 3 years average out to 19 per year. I could call the police on any given day of the week about nuisance speeders going past my house and top their numbers. As most people who have lived here for years I have educated myself on their habits and planted flowers or shrubs that I didn’t want eaten where they can’t reach them. 19 calls a year hardly justifies the removal of deer, it is much more dangerous to our people and pets to have no enforcement of the speed limits in McCall. My husband got hit by a speeding motorist right by our home, can we remove all tourists that can’t follow simple traffic laws? This rush to pass this ordinance is strictly political and wrong! There needs to be more research done by talking to all the other places across the US that have learned to coexist with their deer population. Again I will reference the City if Boulder Colorado, they have been quite successful enforcing the no feed ordinance and still coexisting with their deer. I spoke to their Senior Urban Wildlife Conservation Coordinator and got good information, it might be good for you to do the same!!! Her name is Valerie Matheson, 303-441-3004, she said she would be happy to talk to anyone that might need more information on this subject. What I am seeing here is a gun ho Chief of Police from Texas, a young Fish and Game manager, and an over zealous code enforcement officer that have made this their mission without listening to the majority of people that live here. If you don’t listen to the people that pay your salary you can and will be replaced! Leave our Deer alone. I have lived here since 1948 and so have the deer! MUCH longer any of you on council! Vote as your constituents demand, not tourists and developers, otherwise we will replace you! Why do you feel this so important at this time? YOU moved into their environment- accept the herd and learn to live with them. After you remove the existing town herd, what will you do with future herds that move in? How many DO NOT ENTER signs do you plan to but up? Sounds silly- so does removing deer when you are surround by millions of acres of National Forest. Such a total waste of our tax dollars and time to pursue such nonsense. I don’t know how many times we need to voice our opinion as to why we disagree with the removal of the town deer. It seems as if you keep ignoring the comments in opposition until citizens give up commenting and do what you believe is right rather than listening to your constituents. Rather like being children to go ask mom, go ask dad, etc until the kid gives up. For the record once again: I am against removal of the “town deer” in the city of McCall. I am not opposed to fining people for feeding the deer. There has been a lot of talk about the deer becoming dependent on the feeding stations. This is not true from my observations of the deer frequenting my property just off of Thompson/Davis. They graze on the vegetation in my lot all year. They appear to be healthy and not aggressive. Yes, on occasion they eat my flowers when I forget to apply the deer repellent. At large dogs are a bigger problem in this community. Leave the deer alone and shut down the feeding stations and let us continue to enjoy the presence of these gentle animals. I support allowing the deer to be as they are and I’d seek the advice from Nez Perce Natural Resource Experts as they are knowledgeable with the ways of wildlife . More experienced than F&G. I’d guess . They have lGenerations of lessons from elders and active observation.l The deer were here before us and we are impacting their habitat . What is the biggest problem with them ? Please start periodic town hall meetings so you can feel the pulse of the constituents .There are too many issues confronting our region and it’s important to hear and be heard ., not have everything done essentially behind closed doors ! I oppose the euthanasia and or relocation of deer within the McCall city limits and surrounding. Should the feeding ban be enforced this should not include or lead to harm of animals currently residing here. Very concerning the council is not paying attention to their constituents on the eradication of the local deer. More effort research and education first. Vote this down Take a deep breath, step back and re-think this. Keep the deer ! They bring such peace and beauty to McCall. Leave the beautiful Deer ALONE!!!! This is their home and has been for years. I love coming to McCall to visit family and friends and watch the cute deer and babies❤️❤️❤️ You have much bigger concerns there than getting rid of God’s beautiful creatures. Worry about things that are really destroying the town😬 No on deer translocation. Please do not force this decision down the throats of residents when you could call in experts that would engender confidence in what should be done with town deer. I used to absolutely love seeing them. Part of the McCall magic. And it seems like you would have to build a fence around the town to keep these deer from being replaced by others!? Thank you. See above. A big No on the proposed deer relocation. Trapping and relocating the town deer is an unbelievably ridiculous idea. The cost alone should be enough to not consider it. Is there and will there always be enough money to do this process? I used to frequent McCall and now choose other places due to so many other problems the city needs to address. If this truly happens, I won't be visiting your city again. I think the City Council should vote NO on reiocating/eradicating deer! They have been part of the community for many years before us! Please don’t do what you have planned for the Deer in your town. They are one of the nicest points for visiting your area. I sure wouldn’t want your sweet town to be known for killing the deer. So disappointing I do support imposing a fine for regularly feeding deer; however I strongly oppose spending the time and WASTING the expense to relocate them. If people stop feeding them, most should adapt back to an environment where they can find nature’s provided food source (we’re surrounded by the forest, part of their natural habitat). Some will migrate out of the area either permanently or seasonally and unfortunately the weaker ones may die if they cannot adapt. That seems to be a more normal, natural and logical step to take. I personally feel that the presence of some deer in this area adds charm to our mountain town. We are living in their habitat after all, which is part of the reason why people are drawn to this area. Please please leave the deer and wildlife alone in the idaho mountains and towns. They were there long before any of us... they do nothing wrong in their native land. Humans have absolutely no right to do anything with any wildlife except to protect then and their land. Idaho seems to be the only state that sees a problem with them. Really Idaho use to be way better than this. If the outsiders don't like it and the way Idaho is. Please do all of us favor and leave... the native idahoans do not want to become like any other state. Enough is Enough !!!! I am opposed to the removal of the town deer. They are not a nuisance. Prohibiting feeding is the only move that needs to be made. Leave the deer where they are. They add beauty and wonder to the town. They make people slow down. They show how close wildlife is to our city. Do not use our tax dollars to deal with a problem that doesn't exist! I am deeply saddened and frankly, horrified, that the city council is planning to eradicate the indigenous deer from McCall. I grew up in Idaho, and McCall is a part of my family history. My mother was married there and is resting there. The deer are a part of that community, and a vital factor for maintaining the balance of nature. Removing them is cruel and heartbreaking. Many of them won't survive the "transport" process. Since the mountains are their natural habitat, others will eventually arrive to take their place. If humans find the deer inconvenient, they need to consider who belongs in the area. They've coexisted peacefully for decades. Those who don't want deer in the mountains should consider staying in the city. I actually live in a large city (Atlanta), and we all enjoy the urban wildlife, including deer in our wooded neighborhoods (and tolerate the coyotes). Please reconsider your initiative. It will wreak havoc on both the environment and the community. We have enough conflict and division in our country (and in Idaho) as it is. (Please note that I grew up in Idaho, spent summer vacations in McCall, and last visited in December 2019. I'm a UI graduate, and Idaho is my true home.) Thank you for considering my input. Melinda (Mindy) Belt I am opposed to the removal of deer from the city limits of McCall. The deer are part of our city's vibrant color. The deer are a draw to tourism and the economy of our beautiful town. I regularly see residents and tourists alike stopping to watch the deer around town. Deer crossing the street and highway 55 do little more than slow traffic that is traveling at increasingly to high a rate of speed. I think the resolution to not feed wildlife is fine and I am not against managing a deer population that are sick but want to see the deer population remain as part of our small community. I am vehemently against any attempt to move or eliminate deer in McCall and surrounding areas. I am against removing deer from McCall and surrounding areas of McCall. Please leave the deer alone. Putting their lives at risk by relocating is very upsetting to me. The deer were here first and then all the people moved in so it would be very unfair for humans to move them. Of course it's a little maddening when they eat my tomato plants but that's my problem to work out because I moved into where deer have always lived. I absolutely love watching the deer here and it's part of what makes McCall so special. Spend your extra money and time on housing so we can continue taking care of the way too many people coming to town. I work at Salmon River and I typically turn away two to three people for everyone I can seat on a Tuesday or Wednesday night since many establishments are closed. All these tourists are desperate to find a place to eat. I am all for stopping to allow deer to be fed. Can that be a beginning and can we see where this will lead? Maybe deer with lice can be treated rather than euthanized? Maybe this issue can be readdressed next year after the stop feeding the deer has been in place for a year? —Please please do not “relocate” our deer, we all know the mortality rate. You folks are playing God, we have no right to move the deer, they will die, can you live with that? The deer are what makes living in the mountains so unique, Seriously will you be able to live with yourselves if you trap and stress and kill these living beings, please educate, put up signs with no feeding, give tickets for speeding you could literally give 10 a day on my street, ridiculous, let the deer do what they will, none of us have to right to make a decision when so many are opposed to this. Please listen to the McCall people who love the wildlife and want to continue to see them and for our children and grandchildren to enjoy . Danielle Gray McCall resident since 1978 I Have been a resident of McCall for 59 years . I am strongly apposed to the relocation of the”town deer”. I see no need to further push wild life off these lands just to make life a little more comfortable for a few! Relocation in my view will only lead to Eradication. Please hear our cry.. Don’t do this to us..The McCall City Deer Please ban the feeding of wildlife and allow the professionals of IF&G to do their job and manage our wildlife. No deer wintered in town until people started feeding them. I am so very against any ordinance to remove or relocate the deer of McCall. This once beautiful city was their home long before we came and cleared most of it for roads, homes and businesses to the point of my no longer referring to this town as charming, but over run, by greedy humans, not deer! If there are issues with deer being hit on our roads, then invest more in enforcing the speed limit. I sit on my patio and watch as cars speed by at double the speed limit and have rarely seen a police car ever drive by, let alone a car being pulled over. If gardeners want to protect their flowers and plants there are products and homemade simple deer to help with that! If you take these beautiful, peaceful animals away, what will be next? Trap and kill the birds that poop on my deck? I don’t want to live in a city that can’t appreciate and coexist with nature. I am firmly against the ordinance! I am against the proposed deer ordinance that is to be put to vote this week by the city council. Having the opportunity to have our children and grandchildren observe these beautiful creatures living amongst us has been what makes our city so special. This is their home. They are the locals. We are visitors and should be treated as such. I am writing to you because of my concern about the intown deer, and the plans to eradicate them. It is interesting to me how we feel the need to control the animals in this city, when we are the only species that is actually out of control and needs controlling. Animals are not a problem until people start moving in, covering the habitat with houses, asphalt and lawns, and then deciding that the animals have no right to be here because they paid for the property. The deer are being deer, whether people feed them or not. The best food is in people’s yards, with nice flowers and green things to munch. You don’t need to feed them for them to be around. Your yard is very enticing without handouts. What makes them a problem are the impatient, rude, obnoxious people who come to a mountain community, and then want all the animals removed so they don’t have to modify their behaviors. Traffic is way too fast on all the streets in McCall, especially Davis Ave. People zoom up to the deer, then honk their horns and scare them into the ditches. They let their dogs chase and intimidate the deer. They don’t want to do simple things like plant deer-resistant trees and shrubs, which the nurseries have in supply. Or go out and look at what is still standing in the woods, uneaten, and plant that. They don’t want to learn how to coexist with the animals that have every right to be here as we do. Animals do not have a lot of choice as to where to go, how to act, or what to eat. We do. I have talked to someone in Fish and Wildlife, who actually spends time in the field, and is knowledgeable. There is no guarantee that the relocation of the deer will get them to start migrating. There is no guarantee as to how many will die from the stress. From my experience regarding parks in California, the relocation of animals, and the locking down of food supplies so they don’t have access, successfully changed the problem by killing most of the animals. The animals did not have the knowledge needed to change their behavior. They starved to death. You cannot teach the deer a new way of behaving by dumping them somewhere else. You also add problems that did not exist before. Not only are they in an area unfamiliar to them, they are among animals that don’t know or want them. Deer from one area cannot just join a herd from another area. Depending on when you do this, there may not be sufficient food for them, or the knowledge of where to go to get food in the new location. This can be a devastating decision for the deer, and the most complicated choice to make for the problem. The choice that makes sense is to leave the deer alone, and reign in the people so that all the beings in this city can live out their lives as they have a right to do. Thank you. Stop the deer removal. Why are we even thinking about “human kinds” further disruption of our beautiful ecosystem? I am 72 years old and deer have been in McCall my entire life. I am a Farmer with a biology degree and Regan Berkley proclaims to be an expert but obviously she is not. What she is advocating makes no sense and has no common sense. We live in their territory and next year others will be back. Listen to your constituents, educate yourself, educate the citizens. As a citizen of Valley County and McCall it is vital that we take a deep breath regarding transport/eradication of our local town deer. Deer don’t know the city limits. Why do we have to mandate a decision right now when the deer have been here forever? John I just read an article about our Fish and Game manager Regan Berkeley. This article is completely contradictory to what she wants to do here. In Payette they had a pronghorn sheep problem per Regan and people wanted them removed and relocated. In this article Regan states that it would be a mistake to try to relocate them as the rate of mortality would be high. In her own words she stated that it would be a mistake to do that. So my question to her and to you what makes our deer such a dire problem? She speaks out of both sides of her mouth and I question her motives. Again let’s do some research and studies before eradication of these deer. I am really sure that she doesn’t plan to spend 10’s of thousands of dollars to try to relocate them. My thoughts are that a bullet us much cheaper and without over sight she can say that they were sick, diseased or a died due to the relocation process. This BS needs to stop and stop now! By a landslide the letters you have received are against this heavy handed approach. It is your job and duty to do what the public majority want. I am against the F&G plan to relocate deer. Please look for and consider a solution for coexistence that has worked in other communities. And Please! Listen to the majority of your constituents and don't presume to "know what's best" for us. I want you to know, I am totally against the relocation of deer out of the McCall. They are not a nuisance or a danger to the residents or visitors of our town. The fact there is a 50% mortatlity rate when wild animals relocated to another area is not acceptable. Also if you relocate them to another area, you will be throwing off the balance of the eco system you are moving them into. This is their natural habitat, that we as human have moved into. They are the true natives - we are not. This proposed changed is one of many that will directly impact McCall and how people view the area. Don't try and urbanize McCall - that is only going to drive out the hunters, fishers, wild life enthusiasts and others who have been coming to McCall, and live in the area. From all I have read this has no purpose for conservation, or safety. Remember your Idaho or Pacific NW roots and keep the deer in McCall. - Idahoan at Heart - Deb Storey I support an ordinance to educate the public to stop feeding the deer in McCall. Please do not take action at this time to remove the deer by trapping and relocating them. I feel the public should be involved in this decision. Thank you for your time and consideration. I am against the deer ordinance…There has been much false information spread to get this passed. Justin and Regan should be ashamed of them selves. They are not experts and are peppering truth with much fiction. The deer should not be moved! What office has the budget for $500-600 per deer first of all. This has been tried before and it did not work. Many deer died due to the stress of a new place, being separated from there herd and babies. Riggins being named as a place they would use kills their deer and would do the same to any that are moved there if they did survive the relocation. I believe that behind our backs a huge Culling of the Town deer will be executed. They are innocent creatures that have less and less of their own territory because we have moved in and taken over. Protect the beauty of these sweet creatures that make McCall special. What’s next the foxes, moose and elk? Thank you Melanie and Colby for trying to protect Mother Nature’s children. Put up more signs to slow down the tourists, give them tickets, Think more deeply about this perceived problem. Be openhearted and kind to God’s creatures. If you have done your research, which is a requirement to make an informed decision, you will learn that transporting and relocating the deer has a very high mortality rate! Focus on important issues, such as educating the huge masses that have over run our beautiful city on how to co-exist with nature! Install wildlife crossings and monitor and ticket people speeding. OVER 800 people oppose relocation...You work for the people, do the right thing! TOTALLY AGAINST!!! Regarding the feeding of wildlife and possible eradication of “our city deer”. This is ABSOLUTELY the wrong tactic to take! You have received enough feedback that you need to think twice about the decision you are about to vote on. Regan Berkley seems to have taken just the opposite stance she did in 2017 regarding the “antelope”. We have read data from Fish and Game departments in neighboring states and consensus is to leave the deer alone. We are not sure what is fueling this but your local community is not on board. The last time we checked you were voted in by your community, with the understanding our voices would be heard. That does Not seem to be the case. Please do what is right!! Our votes will count too when City Council members are elected, Please shelve the motion to ban deer feeding, which includes the subsequent deer relocation. Take the time to listen to the resident's ideas for solving this problem. Additional research is also needed in an effort to plan for the best solution. I can tell that the McCall deer are getting more hungry every year. I used to grow enough raspberries to share with the neighborhood. The deer did not eat the spiney bushes. Now the plants are nothing but stubs. Deer did not used to eat my asparagus. Now they do. My apple trees are nothing but bare branches as high as a deer can reach standing on its back legs. Even the mountain ash bushes that used to hide the junk under my back deck have no leaves. We didn't used to have ticks in town. The last two springs I have found them in my own yard. Yes, the fawns are cute. Maybe the town can support a few deer. But the herd continues to grow. And grow. I am against the proposal to "remove"/eradicate/exterminate the deer within the McCall city limits. I have owned my house for 11 years, and the town deer have always been present in my neighborhood. I used to be a part of the feeding problem in my neighborhood, starting the winter of 2017-18. I stopped feeding the deer within a year after seeing the damage they were doing to my yard and garden. I have grown hundreds of Tulip bulbs in my yard for years. Deer love Tulips, and are capable of decimating the plants well before any of them bloom after the snow is gone. I used to pay big $$$ for a product called "Liquid Fence" which eliminated the deer feeding on any of the flowers/plants in my yard. Three years ago, I discovered a DIY generic formula for the same product online. I spent less than $10 to buy the ingredients, and made my own at home. It works just as well as the store bought product, and this summer, I used the last portion of the gallon mix concentrate that I made three years ago! A little education can go a long way if people don't like the deer grazing in their gardens. The last time I checked, it seemed like the people of McCall vote for and elect their mayor and city council members in order to serve the will of the people who elected them into office. A recent Star News article quoted Giles as saying something similar to "having to take a stand in the more difficult issues".... The way that I see it, isn't it more difficult to stand with the hundreds of people you were elected to serve who are against this proposal, rather than serve your own personal feelings/beliefs/interests? When the numbers show that hundreds of the people you were elected to serve are against a proposal, and just a few dozen people agree with your stance, isn't it the more difficult decision professionally/personally to stand with the people who do not agree with you? When the mayor strikes up a conversation with his constituents in a local business, and one of those people ask to talk about this important issue, but the mayor refuses and walks out, what are we local residents supposed to think, and how are we supposed to react? It certainly makes me think and feel that Giles has his own self serving interests and personal gain in the matter, no matter what the people he was elected to serve think or feel. This entire situation is a fiasco and wrong, and will not end well for the deer, or any person politically/professiona lly involved in its pursuit. Education is the answer, and cheaper and more effective than eradication. Please go slow with the deer issue and start with NO FEEDING deer in town and see if that helps. Removing all the deer from town seems a bit extravagant to say the least. For the past 47 years that I have lived in McCall , we have always lived with wildlife roaming around. We had deer on the playground and sightings of mountain lions when I was teacher in McCall. It is part of living in a mountain community. +People just need to stop feeding the deer and stop driving so fast. No on deer relocation. Please do due diligence before relocating deer. Can you please explain the newspaper article where your Fish and Game expert was quoted as allowing antelope to stay in Oregon after locals complained. We love the McCall deer and were 11 year McCall residents. During our current visit, viewing deer was part of the McCall magic. Please put up adequate signage about living with deer before separating their families and giving many deer a death sentence. I am baffled, appalled, and extremely disappointed in the actions of this city council (in part). for recent weeks of your leadership. Yes, this is about the town deer in McCall. I'm interested in who and why is bull-dogging this proposal without any consideration to the findings, experiences, and outcomes of the same type of situations in surrounding states. Clearly, it is NOT the best option. The survival rate of the deer is dismal and the cost is outrageous - to what end? The taxpayers, which by the way, are who you represent, have said numerous times already that they do NOT want this action taken. At what point do you, as representatives of this wonderful mountain town. listen to those that elect and re-elect this council? I've heard the term "recall" tossed around and I would absolutely think this is the appropriate time to get rid of those in office that refuse to listen to the voices of the town. I've done my homework and I know the voices are loud and in plenty. Wake up Council.... this is NOT a move that you want to have on your record for generations and generations to be angry about. Why not spend the money on hard hitting, on-going education to town folk, visitors, tourists via any means necessary about the woes of feeding. Isn't that a better route to initiate and try rather than mass killing of these creatures. And, you cannot deny that that is exactly what will happen. Sugar coat it as you will, these animals that have been here long before any of us, will die. You want that on your hands? We, the people have had families and friends here far longer than some of you on the council... we also have very long memories. I am deeply opposed to any proposal that ends in the result of eradicating the down deer and everyone I've talked to feels exactly the same way. Perhaps a different kind of eradication needs to happen of members of the counsel that don't care about what their townsfolk think and say. RECALL Why am I having to write my comment a third time to this counsel? Do you people not listen to your town people? This is in regards to the deer proposal in McCall. NO! Stop the insanity of this ridiculous idea of removing what is normal and natural in McCall. Who do you think you're speaking for? The people have made their voices very clear that they do not want this. Your JOB is to listen. Please do so. If not, I believe a recall petition should be initiated for those that vote for this absurd idea. Leave the deer alone. They belong here and maybe a few of you don't. Leave the deer alone. They are what makes McCall special and separate from the concrete jungles that are taking over our Pacific Northwest. We have commented so many times to tell you to stop what you're doing. Why won't you listen? As an elderly woman, some of you should be ashamed of yourselves and turned over someone's knee for not listening to those that know better. You need to check your egos at the door before you pass this very unwanted proposal and then perhaps apologize to the town residents for being idiots and messing with mother nature. Live and let live, educate, and embrace the specialness that McCall has to share with visitors, tourists, and residents. and the economy that your city enjoys because of these people. Oh, and the people that elect you, and or UN-elect you. Do the right thing - vote against this terrible, terrible plan. Please don't slaughter the incident dear. Have people slow down instead I do not support the removal of the deer from town. Not only are they not a nuisance they continually bring us delight. The fact that they have adapted so well to our continual encroachment in to their habitat is a success story that should be celebrated. While I do not think they should be fed artificially, if they munch on my jack-o'-lantern or low hanging Aspen leaves, I am perfectly okay. We need to live in harmony with the very wildlife that makes this place so special!!! I am writing to urge the council to enact fire restrictions within the city ASAP. I am a little concerned that fire restrictions were enacted on surrounding lands a week ago, and yet there are still no restrictions in town. Please enact restrictions ASAP. I don’t live in your community but have been an Idaho resident for over 50 years Wildlife have always been part of the charm of MCCALL.. on our visits that’s the first thing the kids, then grandkids looked for! The residents that have lived there for years have always cohabited with the deer.. never a problem until more developers and weekend residents have pushed for this change.. what’s the real agenda here?? I am totally against the City's "plan" to "relocate' the town deer! To trap and transport them to Brownlee Dam, Emmett or Riggins because there have been complaints that they are a "Nuisance". Nuisance?? I don't believe they can survive. I am not an expert but what I am learning from experts is trapping and transporting known as translocation does not work. THAT IS NOT "HUMANE". I work in a shop downtown and our customers are primarily tourist. I hear daily how "charming" to see wildlife in town. I can't speak to whether they feed them but I never hear a complaint that they are a nuisance! I realize the deer may be walking down the street sometimes but for me, it gives me moments to pause and appreciate the beauty of wildlife and where I live! I read and hear daily about the concerns of other citizens about critical issues facing McCall RIGHT NOW? Affordable housing among the first!! As a long time resident of Idaho and McCall I am appalled at the ill-advised and preposterous proposal to remove the deer from the City of McCall. It is so much a part of the charm of this mountain town that it is inconceivable that the deer would cease to exist in the community. So is the city prepared to build a 10’ fence all the way around the city to make certain that no wildlife return to the streets of McCall? McCall is a mountain town with all of the amenities of a mountain town , including the deer. You might as well remove all the trees and pave everything. It is beyond ludicrous to even be taking up peoples time with this inane proposal. Leave the deer alone, slow down and enjoy what McCall has to offer or go back to the city. Removing the deer is one of the most heinous threats to the integrity of McCall that is presently before you. Do the right thing. Please do not remove the deer from McCall. Exactly who are they a nuisance to. Yes, when I lived here full time in a home I owned, I could not plant roses and other plants/flowers the deer enjoyed eating. And, yes, I had to bring my bird feeders in every night (summer AND winter) because the deer love birdseed - as do the bear, raccoons, squirrels. But weren't they all here first? And exactly why are they not migrating to lower elevations in the winter? Are their old winter homes taken over by humans also? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT ERADICATE THE DEER NOW OR EVER. Every one I have spoken to enjoy seeing them and having them here year round. Thank you. I am against the removal of Deer from McCall. I support a wildlife feeding ban but DO NOT support relocation and/or euthanasia! Research shows that because of the stress involved, up to 70% of the town deer WILL NOT SURVIVE the trapping/relocation process. Save the money and use it for education and feeding ban enforcement. I'm sure McCall has more pressing needs to address and fund. Please have a heart and make the right choice. Ethically and morally DO THE RIGHT THING!!! I love visiting McCall! I often refer to McCall as my "happy place" largely due to the deer we see around town and at our timeshare. I love going to the mountains and experiencing the wildlife! If some of the residents of McCall don't like wildlife in their backyards, perhaps they should move elsewhere. After all, McCall is located in the mountains and the deer and other wildlife were there first! McCall and Idaho wildlife officials should be working for the wildlife, not the people that have encroached on wildlife habitats. I am an Idaho native and love the charm of McCall and the occasional wildlife sightings. I have a sneaking suspicion that those raising concerns about the "town deer" are out-of-staters that have relocated to McCall. Please stop letting them dictate what happens in our little slice of heaven. Another thing for the city council to consider is McCall's economy. I know many people (including myself) will be less likely to visit and spend money in McCall if the deer are relocated or euthanized. I encourage officials to leave the deer and other wildlife alone if they wish to retain the special charm of McCall. Please leave the town deer alone.we come up every year and stay and seeing the deer is a big part of out stay. I urge you to vote no on the proposed No Feed ordinance once again. While the no feed portion is a good idea, the ensuing trapping and relocation of the deer is not. The mortality rate is going to be much higher than what the F&G representative has stated in the meetings and research in multiple surrounding states on this matter has shown it doesn't work. I have been going to McCall for well over 45 years and have never once had a bad interaction with a deer. My in-laws have 18 acres next to Spring Mtn. Ranch and there are deer there all the time. Never have we had a bad interaction with one and my kids and grandchildren have enjoyed seeing them. In the last month I have played the golf course 8 times and each time the deer have been on the course and not causing any issues. This entire rush to remove the deer seems to show an alternative motive and appears to be being driven by a small number of people. How do you continue to push this forward when over 95% of the comments are against this measure? This is a bad idea in its current form and should not be passed. PLEASE leave the deer alone. This whole process appears to be a knee jerk reaction. Work on educating the public about the deer and the consequences of feeding them. Then, use your time, money and energy to tackle the more pressing issues of affordable housing, traffic control, pedestrian safety and population growth and zoning. Other cities in this country have learned to live with wildlife residents. The human residents of McCall are certainly capable of doing the same. Pursuing your plan to eradicate the deer sends a "your opinion is of little consequence" message to your constituents. Step back and reconsider . . this plan is off the rails. Deborah and Robert Wetherell McCall and Star, Idaho Please leave the deer alone. Each time we visit McCall we look.forward to seeing the.deer. We rarely have the opportunity see see animals.in the wild and look.forward to this each.visit. Thanks Please do not let McCall succumb to growth (developers) by pushing out wildlife. Wildlife living living in conjunction with humans is what make McCall great!! Please do no remove or kill the deer. I’ve lived in McCall since 1959. The deer have never been a problem. They were here before we had the population explosion. The population need to be educated. The deer shouldn’t be eradicated. Anyone ask the "expert" Regan Berkley about her "about face" on this issue? Antelope herd in Payette will be left alone for now, Fish and Game says by KBOI News Staff Monday, March 27th 2017 PAYETTE, Idaho (KBOI) — A large group of pronghorn antelope that made its way from Oregon to Idaho over the winter will be allowed to stay in Payette. On Monday, the Idaho Fish and Game said the antelope will be left alone, despite numerous complaints from locals. “We’ve received a number of calls from citizens concerned about the pronghorn, asking us to trap and move the animals to more suitable habitat,” said Regan Berkley, Fish and Game wildlife manager. “We are equally concerned, but after weighing options, have determined that any effort to trap and move the animals might do more harm than good.” About 180 antelope crossed a frozen Snake River in mid-January. The herd eventually split up into smaller groups and at one point, 50 antelope died after consuming Japanese yew, a highly toxic shrub. Idaho Fish and Game says even if it captured all the antelope, there would could be up to a 25 percent mortality rate due to stress and capture-related injuries. “These animals have had a tough winter and remain in a weakened state,” Fish and Game wildlife veterinarian Mark Drew said. “When you add to that a high rate of pregnancy among the does in the herd, the reasonable solution is to leave the animals alone." READ THAT AGAIN. Mike Maciaszek, Are WE going to wait until THIS happens? Enforce the leash law that is already on the books. This has a much higher chance of happening than any deer in the McCall herd injuring an individual or child. Your 1977 example from Yellowstone Park is pathetic and embarrassing. https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/green-valley-ranch-residents-looking-for-owner-of-off-leash-dogs-after-violent-attack Green Valley Ranch residents looking for owner of off-leash dogs after violent attack :By: Sloan Dickey Posted at 10:06 PM, Jul 19, 2021 and last updated 10:26 PM, Jul 19, 2021 DENVER — It's been more than two months since an off-leash dog attack injured a Denver man and almost killed his dog, and he and his family are looking for answers. Tom Pageler loves walking with his small, chipper dog named Lucky. There are plenty of open spaces for them to walk around in his 55 and up living community in Green Valley Ranch. "We just love her personality. She wants to play all the time," Pageler said. "She's full of joy." But the last two months have been about recovery for Lucky after she was almost killed by two off-leash Rottweilers in a nearby park. Pageler says the two dogs attacked him and Lucky on May 8 as they were on a morning walk. "I got one deep bite in my right hand. Then they got me somehow across the forehead, about a three inch gap," Pageler said. "They had her in the emergency room for 12 hours that day." Lucky suffered deep bite wounds to her shoulders and stomach. Pageler says if he had not acted quickly, Lucky could have died almost immediately. "I could see one of them got into her, and it was a bad bite," he said. "They were trying to kill her." Denver Animal Protection is investigating the case, and Pageler and his wife, Mary, say they are trying to get answers as well. According to Denver city law, dogs are required to be secured on a leash at all times unless they are in a designated city dog park. "You are not supposed to run these dogs off-leash," Pageler said. "He does not care." Denver police did not respond to a request for comment, but Pageler says investigators are continuing to search for the off-leash dogs' owner. Why not put the no-feed ordinance in place then use a fraction of the funds it would take to trap and move, and euthanize, and put that toward a massive education campaign for locals and visitors alike. Brochures, social media, website update, signage all focused on "Living With Wildlife". If this decision to eradicate all of the town deer is allowed to move forward, it will be a tremendous mistake we will never be able to come back from. WHY THE HURRY? WHY THE RUSH? WHY RIGHT NOW? WHY SUCH A FINAL DRACONIAN OUTCOME? WHO IS SPEARHEADING THIS? SHOULDN’T THERE BE A TASK FORCE? A PUBLIC HEARING? AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN BEFORE SLIDING DOWN A VERY SLIPPERY SLOPE OF LIKELY NO RETURN? THE CURE IS FAR WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM OR “NUISANCE” AT HAND. Do not punish the deer for a human-made problem or issue. THE CITY HAS MANY MORE PRESSING PROBLEMS THAT IT OUGHT TO BE WORKING ON: AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES FOR SEWER AND WATER NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN GROWTH, WATER QUALITY, ENDOWMENT LANDS, THE VERY REAL ILLEGAL DRUG AND METH PROBLEM IN OUR TOWN’S CORE. I’M ASHAMED AAND EMBARRASSED BY OUR CITY LEADERS THAT THEY WOULD EVEN CONSIDER SUCH A PROPOSAL AS TO ERADICATE ALL OF OUR TOWN DEER. Why are we allowing a handful of people to decide the fate of one of the most endearing traits of McCall by eradicating the local town deer? I urge our City Leaders and City Officials to take a BIG step back before it’s too late…..Before we can never recover from a very poor decision. Educate, not Eradicate. Save The Town Deer. Educate, Not Eradicate. I attended last week’s City Council Meeting in person to listen and learn more about two “proposals” the City of McCall is currently considering regarding our town deer. The first proposal is putting an ordinance in place making it illegal to feed deer and ALL wildlife in McCall with the exception of song birds. This would include all squirrels as well. The second “proposal” of much more concern due to it’s draconian measures, is giving Idaho Fish and Game the “Go Ahead” to trap, re-locate and/or euthanize all of our town deer. This will happen if our City Council votes on and passes the “illegal to feed wildlife” ordinance. This will also happen without any Public Hearing or without any public input by our full-time and part-time residents, taxpayers and visitors/tourists. Unless you speak up now. I am ok with an ordinance to "Not Feed The Deer And Wildlife" in McCall, I am NOT ok with the notion of trapping, transporting and/or euthanizing all of the town deer simply due to them being a “nuisance”. Just yesterday, Mama Deer (who has been giving birth to her fawns in my side yard for 12 consecutive years) and her day-old twins scampered across the fairway on the McCall Golf Course where I am a full time resident. I could hear exclamations of "Oh Look! Baby Fawns! How Sweet! Quick, Get a Photo!” coming from men and women alike. One gentleman visiting from Arizona excitedly showed me his cell phone captures and exclaimed: "Look! I think I got some Good Ones! I just sent them to my Grandaughter in Arizona"! I simply cannot imagine a McCall without "Town Deer". I've been enjoying McCall for 58 years with my family and friends at our family cabins over the years, and there have always been town deer. Can you imagine being a visitor to Ponderosa STATE PARK in the Great State of IDAHO and never being able to witness the majestic beauty of a wild deer? May as well remove the expensive signage they put throughout the Park letting visitors know of the wildlife they are "likely to see" in the park. Or tell them as they enter the park "Sorry, but to see a wild deer, you will have to go to a big City Zoo”. What in the World are our City Officials thinking? And all due to the deer being a "Nuisance"? After doing considerable research the past two weeks by talking with Fish and Game Wildlife Biologists, Wildlife Officers, and Wildlife Conflict Specialists in Idaho as well as our neighboring states of Washington, Utah, and Oregon, we have much to learn. Not only did each of these wildlife specialists call me back within 24 hours to speak with me directly, but each had come to the same conclusion, and that was that trapping and relocating deer, known as “translocation” did not work. I learned that the State of Utah suspended their translocation pilot program indefinitely before it was even finished due to less than 50% of the deer surviving the stress of transport and relocation, and due to the cost ($600 to $900+ PER deer). If we allow this to happen in McCall, who will be paying for that? Certainly not Idaho Fish and Game? Certainly not the City of McCall? The Taxpayers? One wildlife officer said to me "Fish and Game shouldn't be getting involved at all." He also said that the "deer belong to all of us", and that one governmental agency should not be allowed to take that from the local residents and visitors. Each of these States websites were highly impressive with article after article of “How To Live With Wildlife”, “Minimizing Browsing Damage by Deer”, “Deer Resistant Plants For Your Mountain Garden”, “Understanding Mule Deer And Winter Feeding”, and “Don’t Feed Deer And Elk”. There are other alternatives that we can consider first before we got down a slippery slope that we can never recover from: There are other alternatives that we can consider first before we got down a slippery slope that we can never recover from: 1. 1. IF TRAFFIC ISSUES ARE ‘the most common problem’ with our deer as cited by Regan Berkley, McCall Fish and Game Wildlife Manager in last week’s Star News article entitled “"Oh, Deer! McCall ponders what to do with ‘town herd’, WOULD IT NOT BE MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO ACTUALY ENFORCE THE SPEED LIMIT? Well over 90% of posted speeds in the City of McCall are either 20mph or 25mph. A Fish and Game Wildlife Officer from WA stated that at those speeds there are very few deer/car collisions, and very few deer are killed or maimed to the point of needing to be euthanized. “Since 2019, the McCall Police Department has responded to 57 calls related to deer in McCall, {THIS EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY 19 TELEPHONE CALLS PER YEAR}, including eight car accidents {WHICH EQUATES TO 2.5 PER YEAR} and 28 calls to humanely kill severely injured deer, {WHICH EQUATES TO ~9 PER YEAR} Williams said. Last winter, Fish and Game responded to “a minimum of 30 calls” for dead or injured deer in McCall, Berkley said. {COULD THAT NOT HAVE BEEN 30 CALLS ABOUT THE SAME DEER? OR 30 CALLS ABOUT THE SAME FEW DEER IN A SEVEN MONTH WINTER PERIOD}? Why is it such an “inconvenience” for F & G to receive phone calls about wildlife such as the deer? Is that not part of their job? 2. “In recent years, the herd has attracted more mountain lions to residential areas in McCall in the winter when food is scarce elsewhere. According to Williams, The police department “continually” gets reports of mountain lions near the St. Luke’s McCall hospital…” Continually? How many reports? A few a year? In the 58 years I have been spending time in McCall (the city, mountains, and trails) and now living here full time for 12 years, I have not once seen a mountain lion. Have there always been occasional sightings during the winter or spring months? Of course. We live in a mountain town and we have been encroaching on their natural habitat for as long as we have the deer’s natural habitat. Towns and Cities from neighboring States simply post a general warning about sightings vs eradicating and entire herd of deer. Will these nuisance mountain lions then be next in line for eradication? What about nuisance bears? Nuisance fox? Nuisance Elk and Moose? Nuisance raccoons and skunk? Nuisance Ravens and Stellar Jays? Where does this end? And why are we allowing a handful of City Officials decide the outcome of what is All of Ours to Enjoy? 3. “The deer also sometimes become aggressive toward people (and dogs), most often in the spring when they are caring for newborn fawns …” Of course they do. All mammals and wildlife are highly protective of their young. Again, why not educate the public on “How To Live With Wildlife” as our neighboring States do? No one should be near any wild animal whether it be a deer, bear, fox, mountain lion, moose when they have their young around. A great solution to this “problem” would be to enforce the leash law within the City limits, and educate locals and visitors on living with wildlife and keeping your distance. 4. “There is no effective way to rid the deer of the lice, so infected deer would be humanely killed by Fish and Game to avoid spreading the infestation”, Berkley said. The exotic lice species described above does not affect humans or domestic animals. Deer in captive settings have been successfully cleared of lice infestations with the use of medication. Medications exist to treat most conditions causing hair loss in deer. Many cases resolve on their own when the deer are in better condition in spring/summer due to increased food resources or with seasonal environmental changes." According to WA Fish and Game Wildlife Specialists. 5. We supplemental feed the elk in the winter, why not the deer? "Yes",situations when supplemental feeding is benefici State of Utah Fish and Game. #1 The deer are a part of our community and should be left alone. With a little research its easy to see that relocated deer is difficult, expensive and has little if any success. #2 last year a ditch and drain system was installed on my street Boydstun loop. The design allowed all water and toxic debris (oil,tar, etc) to drain into an existing wetland. after working for the Nez Perce Tribes Watershed program i have a clear understanding on how bad and illegal this is. in addition we had no drain issues prior to completion of new ditches and culverts of 2020. this decision was a waste of time and money but more so pollutes a healthy watershed. what knucklehead made this decision and why? in addition our paved loop was destroyed and replaced with gravel during this process. zero dollars were put into the loop in the last 20 years point being it received no maintenance. the people of Boydstun Loop agree our property value decreased because of this. The city claimed no money to repair our loop. meanwhile the City Hall gets a new face lift with a new parking area and landscape improvements. please explain yourself Re: the deer. Please do not move or eradicate the deer. Please instead warn people who feed deer then fine if they don’t stop… as you have over the years on bears …and train/educate new and not to feed and why .. McCall is my second home, spending summers at my grandmother’s cabin in KP Cove, and living here 2009-11. I was made aware of the proposal to relocate native deer during my current visit. Please DO NOT continue the practice of relocating native inhabitants for the sake of unbridled profit. This form of imperialist/capitalist oppression, of any and every species, must cease if we ever hope to authentically claim any level of morality and decency. To be clear, while we have no problem not feeding the deer and support a strong educational program, we are completely against any action which will result in the trapping, relocating, and eradicating the town deer. Our thanks to Melanie Holmes and Colby Nielsen for listening to your constituents. Mayor and Council: I have been following the issue about feeding wildlife, removing and relocating wildlife from McCall. I couldn't be more distrubed. Obviously, I do not live in McCall but I am a sixth generation Idaho resident. I am also a frequent visitor of McCall. One of the charms of your beautiful city is the sighting of wildlife living and visiting harmoniously around the town. I can see why you might want to discourage the feeding of wildlife. However, I am extremely opposed to any relocating or erradicating of wildlife. I am so offended that you would even consider it. I am actually shocked you would even consider it. This settlement started in the forest and you have built it into a city. You build businesses and houses for people in what has been the animals' home; it is forestland. Of course, there are animals living there. People enjoy McCall because of the natural beauty and the connection to the wilderness. People wouldn't drive and fly to McCall or even live there if they didn't enjoy trees, water, and of course wildlife. The wildlife do not cause any danger to people in your city as long as they are respectful of the wildlife. There are no dangers of disease, the wildlife to not pose danger to people as long as they keep their distance, and I have actually never seen any real downfalls to having wildlife in or near the city. I am also appalled that Idaho Fish and Game reprenatives are considering this plan and I am personally following up and reminding them about the underlying ideals of our state law state law. 36-103. WILDLIFE PROPERTY OF STATE -- PRESERVATION. (a) Wildlife Policy. All wildlife, including all wild animals, wild birds, and fish, within the state of Idaho, is hereby declared to be the property of the state of Idaho. It shall be preserved, protected, perpetuated, and managed. It shall be only captured or taken at such times or places, under such conditions, or by such means, or in such manner, as will preserve, protect, and perpetuate such wildlife, and provide for the citizens of this state and, as by law permitted to others, continued supplies of such wildlife for hunting, fishing and trapping. There seems to be some alteriative motivations on what is going on in this situation. Perhaps some of our Idaho Fish & Game staff need reminded that they are paid by tax dollars. Maybe they need replaced. Regardless. I urge and demand that you not support any proposals, rules, votes, recommendations, motions, or anything that would move toward removing or erradicating any wildlife in McCall. Wildlife is here to stay in McCall. All of you can be replaced. I see that the transit center plans to replace their parking area with landscaping. Have you considered keeping the parking area since we are short on parking downtown? ONCE AGAIN I am writing to implore you to vote AGAINST any removal of our deer! This is a travesty and in-humane! My family has had property here since 1948 and am full time resident now since 2009 and have watched this place change. DO what you were elected to do! CONTROL THE PEOPLE!! We are opposed to moving the town deer! Perhaps stop some of the building in town??!! We appreciate the eloquent letters from Fawcetts, Julie Conrad and others in the past weeks regarding this issue. I strongly oppose the no-feed ordinance and proposal to trap and relocate the town deer. There has not been adequate research on the topic, which makes the proposals to the issue uninformed and drastic. The primary reason deer are getting hit and killed within city limits is due to speeding cars, and a lack of speed limit enforcement. Many cities and towns throughout the country have successfully found a way to coexist with deer, through educated trial and error. Boulder, Colorado has successfully found a way, and yet, a subject matter expert who resides there has not been officially contacted. There are incremental alternatives that the City Council has not even considered, and the majority of citizens vehemently oppose these solutions. Please take the opinion of the McCall citizens into strong consideration before making a final decision, and PLEASE, do more research on the issue! To all those at the table tonight, thank you for taking the time to read my comment. As before, I implore you to table or reassess how this issue is being addressed. Do not make the deer the scapegoat. Human caused issues need to human led solutions and this is a human issue, not a deer one. I feel fortunate to have time to listen and learn from wildlife experts while I work. I feel grateful that my education in Economics focused around environmental and government issues. I had a wonderful opportunity to learn how to evaluate data. Many people are not that fortunate and perhaps that includes some of you. Time and time again education has proven to be far more effective in the long term for creating actual change and for being the fiscally responsible act. This issue is not unique to McCall. Many communities across North America have already tackled this challenge and again, the most prominent solution has been to educate the community through programs, awareness campaigns, incentives, and yes, ordinances. People are not against an ordinance than only bans feeding, they are against the removal of the deer from city limits. This is a guarantee that must be made to the public for good faith to take root. As in my first letter to you all, I am wondering why there cannot be a community action committee or even a “McCall Wildlife Coalition” to bridge the gap between the public officials and the public at large. The Payette Forest Coalition has been lauded for their efforts and successes on this front. Why must a decision be made so quickly? As I heard our Mayor say to a friend I had been enjoying coffee with, sometimes progress is slow, just one step at a time is still forward movement, and it is important to set realistic goals. I implore him to follow his own words. I’d like to thank Colby and Melanie for their respectful dialogue and willingness to look at the full picture. The easy solution is rarely the ethical and successful one. Killing the deer is not a solution. One of the reasons I left McCall; the shoddy leadership in the city and county. Please listen to your community and exercise your job instead of your self involvement for personal gain. The deer have been there before you! My vote is emphatically against eradicating deer in and/or around McCall, Idaho. I visit McCall specifically to see deer in their natural habitat. Do not relocate deer subjecting them to death. Stop the eradication of all deer in McCall. Your so called "experts" are wrong. Educate your council to protect and preserve the deer and all of McCall's wildlife. Keep the deer alive. A couple of things , one thing, I'd like to express is the need to pause any approval of new developments until many of our water /sewer and trffic issues are re evaluated and are fully thought out and addressed . Housing must be considere for those who have lived her but cannot afford even entry level homes . The vacation rental situation is is great for the speculators invested here but communitymembers suffer because of it. I would like to resond to Councilman Maiciaszek's recolection of the unfortunate death of a child in Yosemite caused by a deer in a feeding attempt. With that , if you were to look at the number of boating deaths on Payette Lake since 1977 you can make an argument that Motor boats should be banned as they are a real danger. The issue really seems to be one of education . I agree with the no feeding ban but not the forced removal and transport of wild animals . We must learn to utilize "Indigenous ways of being", rather than impulsive traumatizing ways of dealing with this. The deer pose no threat to us . Slow down. there are open range laws in Valley county repct the wild ! How about that "pause" here as well and seek the advice of Native people that have a real connection to wildlife over the period of thousands of years . These people have a deep knowledge in the science of wildlife management. Lets not take the typical old White European method of dealing with things by forced removal . Allow the dignity of our four legged relatives to figure their path. After all we created this situation .We difficulty of adapting . Please thouroghly give this time employ old wisdom and recruit help from the original stewards of these lands. Thank you for your consideration. I am writing regarding the issue of the challenges with the town herd of deer. I agree that the deer should not be fed by local residents. However, I would like the city council to explore more humane options of removing the deer. Thank you for listening to the many responses from the public.