7.2. PRSR 03-09-2017 kik ,.,,.-. Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 7.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Discussion Item March 2,2017 Tim Sevcik,Park Superintendent
Item Description Reviewed by
Deer Hunt Update Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discuss the 2016 Controlled Archery Deer Hunts.
Background/Discussion
In 2016 the Parks and Recreation Department held its first ever controlled archery deer hunts which were
conducted in Woodland Trails Regional Park, Sedge Meadow Park,Birch Meadow Park, Harris Island
Park, and Camp Cozy. Hunter selection was conducted in August via a lottery drawing;20 applications
were received and 9 primary and 11 alternate hunters selected. Hunters received a deer hunt orientation
from City Staff and the local Conservation Officer. Hunts initially took place on Monday,Tuesday and
Wednesday of each week and later Sundays were added to allow for greater hunter participation. Ten
hunters took place in the hunts and hunted a total of 139 times. Nine deer were harvested and consisted
of one buck and eight does.
Following the completion of the hunts,hunters were invited to provide feedback on the hunts and
provide recommendations for future hunts. Positive feedback from the hunters included the volunteer
hunt manager Wayne Becklin, opportunity to hunt close to home,interaction with park users and
adjacent property owners, observations on the number of users in the parks,and overall safety of the
hunts. Recommendations included adding more days to the hunt to allow for increased opportunity,
adding boundary signs to properties to more easily identify limits,provide information about the hunts
earlier in the year. Additionally,two comments were made about the number of dogs off leash in the
parks and number of encroachments by adjacent property owners into the parks.
Discussion between the hunt volunteers and staff was conducted following the meeting to determine
changes for the 2017 hunts. Recommendations discussed included adding Hillside City Park with four
hunt zones,Meadowvale Park with one hunt zone,Burr Oak Park with one hunt zone and Alba Ridge
Park with 1 hunt zone. Additionally,no alternates would be selected for the hunts;however two hunters
would be selected for each hunt zone resulting in 30 hunters selected to participate. Hunts would be
conducted every day of the week throughout the Minnesota archery deer season and hunters would be
allowed to harvest up to two deer (managed hunt) pending MN DNR regulations.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
None
P 0 ■ EAE ® 11
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