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Game & Fish resurrects Holiday Island urban deer hunt possibility By Kathryn Lucariello, Holiday Island editorMembers of the Arkansas Game & Fish Department attended Monday's Holiday Island Board of Commissioners work session to answer questions about a possible urban deer hunt. Lt. Brian McKenzie said a property owner and his wife on the island proper had complained to the department about deer eating their flowers and asked them to come and out and evaluate the deer population. "I asked what they wanted done, and they asked what I knew about eradication," he said. District Manager Kevin Crosson said he gets maybe a half dozen complaints each year from residents who are losing flowers and landscaping to deer. McKenzie said he personally would not consider that a significant amount of complaints to warrant a hunt, which is a hot-button issue. "We can send a deer biologist to you to help you work out some different options," he said. "He said he would even bring the people who ran the Bull Shoals hunt." The Bull Shoals community voted to have an urban deer hunt, which was successful in controlling the deer population, McKenzie said. The hunt is an archery hunt, and those participating must take a class and receive a permit specifically for that hunt, with certain areas staked out where they can and cannot go. He said the community itself controls where the hunt takes place, how many hunters will be allowed, and how many deer they will be allowed to take. Another option, McKenzie said, is for Game & Fish, once a deer problem has been identified on an individual's property, to issue a "depredation permit," which allows the homeowner to hunt deer on his or her own land. But only bow hunting is allowed under these permits. Wildlife Officer Tommy Bawcom said there are some areas in Holiday Island that are so remote that homeowners can give written permission for bow hunting on their land during season. There are regulations setting a distance of so many feet from a residence, however. Commissioners Boyce Williams, Dick Lytle and Bill Branum were not in favor of the hunt, even though Williams and Lytle have had problems with deer in their yards. "Commissioner Mills and I have our own personal deer herds," Williams joked. "How we control them is my wife goes out and gives them hell, and they never come back! Seriously, I believe they were here first." Audience reaction was also negative. "I've lived here for 20 years and have been fighting the deer for 20 years," said Herb Bowker. "You win some and you lose some. I moved here from Chicago and didn't come down here not to have deer." "I live in the Natural State, and Holiday Island is proud of being a wildlife sanctuary," said Rebecca Sherman, who added her dog alerts her and her children to stay inside when cougars are hunting. "A cougar and her cubs can take out a whole lot of them in a season," she said. It was suggested Game & Fish's deer biologist speak at a Holiday Island Homeowners Association (HIHA) meeting and bring information about plants deer won't eat and other ways to repel the animals. Eureka Springs citizen Pat Matsukis approached the commission to consider drafting a resolution in support of leaving the Beaver, Elk Ranch and Butler Creek bridges intact and siting a pass-through route between Highway 62 West and Highway 23 North at Lake Leatherwood. She said she believes Holiday Island has a stake in preserving the beauty and character of Highway 187. "I think it's part of the ambience of Holiday Island," she said. "We are all dependent on each other. People come to see you and come visit us. (The Beaver Bridge) is a gem in our neighborhood. There's probably not one of you that hasn't taken someone across that suspension bridge and experienced that moment of pure joy." Commissioners said they had adopted a resolution the previous year supporting the preservation of Beaver Bridge and, if possible, siting another bypass through the Leatherwood or Wolf Ridge areas. Matsukis obtained a copy of that resolution and will forward it on to the state along with copies of resolutions passed by other towns in Carroll County. In other discussions, the commissioners: Heard from some members of the audience supporting the new marina lease. The lease will be on the business meeting's agenda with the few changes made last month, including removing the five-year renewal option. Heard Golf Superintendent Mark Mowrey comment on the five-year golf course improvement plan. Commissioners received a list of questions, suggestions and comments from the staff and community and will provide their feedback at next week's meeting. In the comments, tee boxes and roughs are top priorities for improvement. A copy of the suggestions is available at the district office. Heard a request from Crosson to increase staffing in the Road Department. The Public Works Operations Assistant is moving and has resigned. Crosson asked that some of those duties be reassigned to the Roads Superintendent and to replace the position with two full-time maintenance staff. Roads has been asked in the last year to take on facilities maintenance in addition to its road and mowing responsibilities. Commissioners were generally in agreement increased staffing is a good idea, and will vote on it next week. Discussed HIHA's proposed community entryway slab rock signs at Highway 187 and Woodsdale and County Line and Stateline roads. The district does not have the equipment to haul rocks of the proposed size and would have to hire the job out. Crosson noted the cost could range from $2,500 to $4,000, which Williams said is prohibitive. Lytle said he would work with HIHA to come up with an alternative that is less costly but is attractive and functional. HISID will hold its business meeting in the evening next Monday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse.
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