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Hollywood Park committee schedules fall deer count, reviews census and predator-control costs
Summary
The Hollywood Park Deer Committee set its fall deer census for Sept. 18, reviewed spring census results (84 deer total) and discussed recent predator-control activity, small trap purchases and a costly professional-trapper quote; no large management action was adopted.
The Hollywood Park Deer Committee set its fall deer census for Thursday, Sept. 18, and reviewed spring census results showing 15 bucks, 69 does and no fawns — a total of 84 deer. Committee members also reported recent predator-control activity, a $270 expenditure for traps and a quoted professional-trapper contract described in the meeting as having substantial upfront and per‑animal costs.
The details matter because the census and predator-control spending guide whether the committee will request larger budget items or consider further management actions. “If we ever have to start taking deer, we get to start talking about money,” said Doug Brown, chair of the Hollywood Park Deer Committee. He and other members noted the committee’s current expenditures are minimal but that larger actions would require more funding and approvals.
Committee members discussed the spring census results and historical averages to evaluate whether local deer numbers are at acceptable levels. “We counted 15 bucks, 69 does, no fawns, a total of 84 deer,” Brown said; the committee reported 11‑year averages of about 21.6 bucks, roughly 70 does and a total average of about 92.4 deer. Members said the spring total is slightly below the 11‑year average but above last year’s low count.
Predator-control updates included two foxes caught in coyote traps and released unharmed and three recent wildlife fatalities reported to the committee: one dead fawn (reported with a broken leg), one dead doe that appeared to have died during birth and one additional carcass documented in committee files. The committee approved routine wildlife incident reports by voice vote.
The committee reported spending $270 on traps for coyotes and other predators. Members said the city’s Officer Bass has been responding to calls and handling traps, and praised Bass for volunteering and reducing the committee’s need to hire a contractor. “He saved us a lot there, kinda jumping on that and leading the charge,” a committee member said during the meeting.
Members also described a written or verbal quote for a professional trapper. The speaker summarized the contractor’s price as about “$500 for the initial setup,” plus an additional multi‑thousand‑dollar charge that the speaker described as “5,500 to 7.50,” and a per‑animal fee the speaker described as “$2.50.” The transcript language on the quoted follow‑up fees was unclear; the committee did not accept a contract and did not authorize hiring an outside trapper at the meeting.
After discussion, the committee voted to hold the fall deer census on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. Members emphasized the importance of turnout for the count and said the committee will publicize the date through the marquee, the city’s “Get Connected” notices and the city website. The committee set its next regular meeting for Monday, Oct. 6, at 5:30 p.m.
No formal change in deer‑removal policy was made. Members said any future decision to remove deer or hire external contractors would be placed on a future agenda and, if necessary, would be included in the city budget process. Brown and other members asked staff to provide any budget requests before the city’s final budget workshop in late August.
