"Caves" Closed From October 1st to December 15th for Deer Hunt

IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, September 26, 2009 - Warning notices are posted throughout the "Caves" area to warn users of the open land that the Ironwood Deer Management Bow Hunt is in progress. The area is closed from October 1st through December 15th to allow for the hunt.

Sec. 6-100. Comprehensive deer management bow hunt.

(a) Findings and policy. The city commission finds that the peace and safety of the community, and the health of the forest, are threatened by the overabundance of wild deer within the city. Therefore, the population of wild deer must be regulated and managed. The method for the regulation shall be an annual harvesting of wild deer by use of bow and arrow.

(b) State laws. The conduct of any authorized deer hunting within the city must be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the State of Michigan. This section is supplemental to the laws of Michigan, as they may be amended or changed from time to time.

(c) Enforcement officers. The conduct of any authorized deer hunting within the city shall be regulated by the city manager or his or her designee or his or her agents, and any state or federal agents with jurisdiction;

(d) Allowed hunting areas. Deer harvesting will be prohibited in all areas of the city except the following:

(1) Any area designated by the city manager, approved by the city commission, by resolution, as a designated management area (DMA);

a. In a duly designated management area, hunting will not be allowed:

1. As specified by the current laws and regulations of the State of Michigan. 2. Any place posted "no hunting" in compliance with the law of Michigan. 3. Within two hundred (200) feet of the centerline of a roadway.

(e) Authorized hunters. Any person hunting deer by bow and arrow within the city must meet all the following criteria:

(1) Be qualified to hunt deer by bow and arrow under all the laws and regulations of the State of Michigan and be licensed to do so by the state;

(2) Be certified and qualified to harvest deer and pass a proficiency test as required by the City of Ironwood. Application for a deer hunting qualification certificate shall be made to the city manager or his or her designee. The standards and requirements of the program shall be set by resolution of the city commission. The program shall include each hunter's agreement to behavior and ethical standards, proficiency standards, and a waiver of rights for any liability of the city, or landowners;

(f) Conduct of the hunt.

(1) Harvesting of deer shall only be done in compliance with this ordinance, state law, any resolution passed by the city commission setting standards for conduct of the hunt or contracting for the services of the city's agent for that purpose, and any deer management plan for Ironwood adopted by the city commission.

(2) Carcasses and entrails must be removed from the site of the kill immediately and completely;

(3) Only hunting by bow and arrow is allowed, except for hunting by the disabled with crossbow, as it is allowed under state rules of the Department of Natural Resources;

(4) No permanent stand is allowed on public property;

(5) No hunter may attempt to shoot or harvest a deer that is beyond the effective range of the hunter;

(6) Each hunter must repair or pay for any damage to the property of another that arises out of the hunting activities;

(7) A hunter will not carry an uncased bow or discharge a bow beyond the designated hunting boundaries. If a hunter pursues a wounded deer beyond the designated hunting boundaries he or she shall not carry or discharge a bow to pursue or dispatch the animal.

(g) Violations. A violation of this section is punishable as set out in section 1-13, as it may be amended or changed from time to time. In addition, any person convicted of any violation of this section, or any other law, as a result of actions related to deer harvesting authorized by this section, shall be disqualified, for a period of two (2) years from the date of conviction, from being certified as qualified to harvest deer within the city.

(h) Reports. Each person who harvests a deer pursuant to this section shall report that fact to the city manager or his or her designee or his or her agent within forty-eight (48) hours of the taking. Each year, the city manager or his or her designee shall report to the city commission about the conduct of the previous year's harvest, including the number of participants, the number of deer taken, and any problems encountered, and any recommendations

(i) Number of qualified hunters. The number of qualified hunters may be limited by the city manager or his/her designee The certification and selection process shall be within the discretion of the city manager. The City of Ironwood may give preference to City of Ironwood residents.

(Ord. No. 457, 8-28-06)