Dalton Gardens plans fall deer count

DALTON GARDENS - City officials plan to do a thorough count of the city's deer population this fall.

Deputy Mayor Steve Roberge said before city officials make any decisions, they want to know the population density within the city's 2.4 square miles.

"We're going to have deer; it's just a matter of how many," Roberge said in an interview Tuesday.

Right now, he said, city officials know there are large groups of deer in certain areas of the city, particularly east of 15th Street. Citizens have complained about the animals becoming a nuisance.

"This is a problem throughout the nation," Roberge said. "A lot of cities have a lot worse problem than we do."

He said the Idaho Department of Fish and Game recommended the count be done in the fall and at night, when the animals move around more.

"There are a lot of details that we have to work out," Roberge said.

Roberge said he, Councilman Joe Myers and Mayor Dan Franklin will meet soon to talk about basic strategies for the most accurate count.

"We may have to do it more than once," he said.

Having the data is important as the city works toward solving the deer issue, he said.

"We want to determine what's a viable population for our city," Roberge said. "It's kind of the missing piece of our puzzle. It's a key thing to know."

He said a previously considered do-not-feed ordinance is on hold.

City officials haven't given up on trying to improve the situation, he said.

"We're moving forward with the issue," Roberge said.

Craig Walker, of Fish and Game, spoke to the council at its June meeting.

Walker told officials that September would be a good month to do the count.

He suggested counting twice a week for a three-week period.

"A three-member team of a driver, spotter and recorder could be used to count," according to meeting minutes.