January 10, 2012 Update - Controlled Deer Hunt

Plans are nearly finalized for the upcoming controlled deer hunt in several locations along Coast Guard Road:

• All depredation permit requests have been submitted to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for review.  One permit (EI Woods Park) has already been issued, and the remaining permits are expected this week.
• Hunting will begin on January 17 and continue each day until February 29.
• Hunters will be assigned to 5 different locations, as indicated on the attached maps:
  • Bell Cove Estates / Osprey Ridge – soundfront area only
  • Emerald Isle Woods Park – 43 acre tract owned by Town
  • Royall Oaks – soundfront area only
  • Lands End – common areas only
  • Wyndward Court / Coast Guard Road area – 3.2 acre tract owned by Town
• Emerald Isle Woods Park will be closed from 4 pm to 9 am daily.  The park will only be open from 9 am to 4 pm.  Signs will be posted.
• All property owners in the 3 privately owned hunting areas have signed consent forms authorizing hunting activities.  No hunting will occur on other private properties.
• A total of 13 hunters, consisting of Federal conservation law enforcement officers, military personnel, municipal law enforcement officers, and the local members of the NC Bowhunters Association’s BCRS (controlled hunt) program, will take a Town accuracy test on January 7 and January 9.  The accuracy test is coordinated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s regional biologist.
• Each of the hunters will be required to follow the attached Rules and Regulations, which include the following, among other requirements:
  • All arrows must be discharged in a downward trajectory, with the hunter at least 8 feet above the target deer so that a missed shot travels into the ground.
  • No discharge of arrows is permitted within 30 yards of a residential structure.
  • Hunters will be required to check-in and check-out with the Police Department, and in some cases the EIPD will transport the hunter to and from the hunting site.
  • Only antler-less deer may be taken.
• A total of 10 hunting “slots” will be scheduled each day, although not all “slots” will be filled each day.
• Hunting hours are generally from 5 am – 10 am, and from 3 pm – 6 pm, however, some locations will have reduced hours.  Lands End will likely not include afternoon hunting and may also be limited to weekdays only.
• All deer meat will be donated to the hungry /  homeless.
• The NC Bowhunters Association’s BCRS program carries liability insurance for those hunters, and the Town has also purchased an additional insurance policy for the hunt.
• Informational flyers will be distributed to all residential units adjacent to the hunting areas to inform them of hunting activities.
• The estimated deer population along Coast Guard Road corridor is 174 deer.  Our goal is to take approximately 70 deer, and to maintain the deer population around 100 deer.  The NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s regional biologist believes that the effort may yield approximately 40 deer. 

• Authorized Hunting Area Maps

• Controlled Bow Hunt Rules and Regulation

• Notice of Hunting Activities

  Click here for additional background information