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Post by michaeladkins on Dec 10, 2011 19:37:01 GMT -5
I live at 56th and Dandy trail, I can see the entrance to Eagle Creek park from my back porch. So needless to say I drive by the park often. I have noticed many dead deer along the road over the last couple weeks/days. Now these are not huge deer but deer none the less.
I have an opinion of why this might be, but I am really new to this stuff, so I might be off. My first thought was the park was overcrowded with deer, so the young need to find food closer to the road and often off the park property. I have deer in my back yard daily, so aim certain they are leaving to eat. So if the park is overcrowded, why wouldn't they consider a reduction hunt??? My buddy who grew up in brownsburg said this has been a huge problem for 20+ years. He said they even went as far as putting reflectors along the wood line to keep them from entering the roadway.
If people agree and think it is an overcrowding issue, I can start a petition and try to get a reduction hunt. It would be my first petition, not real sure how effective they are!
Mike
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Post by HuntMeister on Dec 11, 2011 9:33:24 GMT -5
I have spent many hours in Eagle Creek Park...no doubt it is overrun with deer. You can walk pretty much anywhere in the woods freely as all the foliage has been eaten to the ground by the deer. I think they need to do some sort of reduction but, good luck getting them to allow a reduction hunt. This is a city owned park and LOTS of tree huggers support and control it.
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Post by michaeladkins on Dec 13, 2011 19:34:10 GMT -5
I heard back from Indy.gov today. This is what the email said. Mike ----------------------- Hi Michael, Thank you for your email. The Eagle Creek Park Foundation is currently researching the overpopulation of deer at the park and considering options. We will also be working closely with the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources regarding any measures we make take. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Sincerely, Jennifer McGilvray Public Information Officer / Indy Parks City of Indianapolis Department of Parks & Recreation City-County Building 200 E. Washington St., Suite 2301 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Jennifer.McGilvray@indy.gov P: (317) 327-7035 C: (317) 442-7578 www.indy.gov/parks - e-Newsletter - Facebook - Twitter |
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Post by joeyb on Dec 19, 2011 15:25:53 GMT -5
I used to live at 38th and Dandy, and also spend a lot of time on and at Eagle Creek. I would love to get drawn for that hunt.
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Post by michaeladkins on Dec 20, 2011 10:13:09 GMT -5
I have an answer from a DNR guy about what is going on at ECP. This is interesting, we may have a hunt in our future. Thank you Mr. Pankhurst
Mike
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Thank you for your question regarding the Park's deer population. The deer overpopulation has been a longstanding concern of the Eagle Creek Park Foundation Citizens Advisory Committee. As you are perhaps aware, the Foundation is a volunteer organization established to raise money for unfunded park Projects. The Citizens Advisory Committee is a standing committee of the Foundation, was formed in 1974, and provides citizen input to Park's management regarding issues and concerns affecting the Park.
There is considerable scientific data demonstrating the Park is carrying too high a population of deer for the general health of the Park's ecosystem, including the deer themselves. Unfortunately taking action is not a simple matter. Hunting is proscribed in the Park by City Ordinances, requiring the City legislature to become involved before a hunt can be approved and initiated. Stating the obvious, the killing of deer in the Park will be an emotional topic. Few people take pleasure in the thought of killing beautiful animals that Park visitors enjoy watching. However general acceptance of the necessity of culls in State Parks, a heightened general awareness of the number of animals being killed on roads around the Park with the serious danger to motorists, and the significant ecological damage to the park's flora and fauna leads us to hope that it may now be possible to overcome the legislative and emotional barriers. State Parks have considerable experience with deer culls, and Indy Parks is in communication with specialists from Indiana Department of Natural Resources, regarding the practical aspects of a deer hunt. It is anticipated that discussions with the appropriate City administrative and legislative bodies will take place during the first quarter of 2012. A frequently asked question is wether some form of birth control would be adequate to control the excess deer population. Experts in the field are unequivocal that the only effective way of reducing deer overpopulation at this time is with a carefully controlled hunt.
Michael, thank you for expressing your concerns, and I hope this answers your immediate questions. Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions. The support of concerned citizens will be extremely important if this issue is to be dealt with in a constructive and timely manner.
John Pankhurst
Chair, Eagle Creek Park Foundation Citizens Advisory Committee
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Post by HuntMeister on Dec 20, 2011 10:45:36 GMT -5
They are finally coming to terms with the issue and thinking of a controlled hunt...never thought i would see the day. Thanks for the posts on this.
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Post by michaeladkins on Feb 25, 2012 8:57:08 GMT -5
Just as a followup.
I spoke with a maintenance guy at the park last weekend. I asked him if he thought there would be a reduction hunt at the park. He said not in 2012, he has not heard any talk about it. He said he would have heard if they were planning that for this season.
I am sure he is right, but on the other hand how much info is passed to the maintenance workers.
This was kind of funny. He said he couldn't even cut a branch without patrons up in arms about hurting a tree. Haha. Seriously?
Mike
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Post by duff on Feb 25, 2012 14:51:35 GMT -5
Good job getting involved, and good luck on getting a hunt there in the park. My guess is it will never happen but I agree it is long overdue. It will be a popular draw if it does open up.
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Post by goosepondmonster on Feb 25, 2012 17:31:59 GMT -5
Sounds like the same thing going on at Lake Griffy in Bloomington.
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