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6.1. PRSR 05-10-2017 Elk -�-- Request for Action River To Item Number Parks and Recreation Commission 6.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Discussion May 10,2017 Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director Item Description Reviewed by Deer Management Program Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Discuss 2016 deer management results and 2017 deer management program Background/Discussion In 2016 the Parks and Recreation Department conducted its first deer management program throughout five city parks selecting a total of 10 primary and 10 alternate hunters to participate in the hunts. In total nine deer were harvested from the parks and the hunts ultimately were a great success. Following the hunts,parks staff and deer hunt volunteers conducted a follow-up meeting with the hunters to discuss the hunts and determine improvements for future hunts. Those recommendations were reviewed by park staff and hunt volunteers to develop the plan for the 2017 deer management program. The major changes in the hunt format for 2017 will be adding additional parks for the hunts as well as selecting two hunters for each hunt zone. All hunt units were determined to be large enough for two hunters to safely hunt,while still providing quality hunting opportunities. Hunters will be able to work with their paired hunter to determine locations and timing of their individual hunts. Financial Impact None at this time. Attachments • 2017 Deer Management Rules 1-Ilifin I ! NATURE Elk „ City of City of Elk River .......„ Deer Herd Management Archery Hunt River As the metro area has continued to expand,parks have become enclosed with roadways and developments,isolating deer populations. With the lack of sufficient natural predators,deer populations have increased beyond the carrying capacity of the land. In an effort to control deer populations,increase public safety on the roadways,and minimize impacts on the environment as well as private property surrounding park land; the City of Elk River recommends implementation of controlled archery deer hunts. The intent of these hunts is to maintain a healthy population of deer within the parks while minimizing the damage as a result of over population. Hunts will be managed by volunteers appointed by the City of Elk River. The hunts will follow the current year MN DNR deer hunting regulations with the following additional restrictions. Type of hunt For hunters 18 and older, harvest limit will be a management hunt (two deer limit with only one deer being a buck) with antler point restrictions.Antlered bucks having at least one 4-point antler may be harvested. Bucks with less than one 4-point antler are not legal to harvest. For disabled hunters and hunters 17 years of age and under,harvest will be a management hunt (two deer limit with only one deer being a buck and with no antler point restrictions). This is a walk-in hunt. All Elk River City parks are closed to public motor vehicle use. Vehicles must be parked in designated areas and display their vehicle permit;hunters are required to access their hunting location on foot. The retrieval of harvested deer must also be on foot,non-motorized carts for hauling deer are permitted. Eligibility All hunters must have a valid MN DNR archery license (including management license when applicable) All hunters must possess a current year City of Elk River hunting permit. All hunters must attend a pre-hunt orientation meeting. All hunters must be at least 18 years old to hunt alone. Youth less than 18 years of age may hunt if they have both a valid MN DNR license and a qualified adult supervisor. The adult supervisor must also possess a valid license or have completed a MN DNR education/safety course,and must remain in very close proximity (<50 feet) of the youth at all times. Both the youth and the adult supervisor must complete their applications as a party. There must be one adult supervisor 21 or older to each youth under 18. Hunters under 18 years of age must shoot their own deer. Individuals with a big game violation in the last three years are not eligible to participate in this hunt. Violation of this rule will result in a lifetime hunting ban for this hunt. Application and Fees Application fee: $5 per person due at the time of application submission Applications are due by August 11,2017. Successful applicants will be notified by August 31,2017. Successful applicants must attend a pre-hunt orientation on September 5,2017 at 6:30pm at the Elk River Public Works Building, 19000 Proctor Road,Elk River,MN 55330. Processing fee: $25 per person due at the pre-hunt orientation Hunters may apply individually or as a member of a two person team. Hunters applying as a two person team must submit both applications together along with the $5 application fee for each hunter in the team. Hunters applying as a two person team will enter at the lower of the preference levels of the two hunters. Hunter Selection Thirty-two (32) hunters will be selected by lottery for the 2017 archery hunt with two hunters selected per zone; sixteen (16) total zones will be available to hunt. All selected hunters will be eligible to participate in the hunts and are encouraged to coordinate hunting times and efforts with the other hunter within their respective zones. Each hunter must successfully complete an archery proficiency test consisting of placing 4 out of 6 shots into an 8" diameter target at 20 yards before applying. Your proficiency may be certified by making arrangements to have it witnessed at Tales and Trails Sport Shop in Zimmerman. Tails and Trails Sport Shop will charge a$10 fee for this service. Lottery priority points are awarded as follows; One point for each year of unsuccessful selection. One point for antlerless deer harvest the previous year. One point for Elk River residency. Each applicant will get one chance in the lottery,plus one additional chance for each bonus point. Hunters who apply as a two person team will be individually entered into the drawing; however if one person is selected both hunters in the team will be selected and assigned the same hunt zone together. Hunting Schedule Parks will remain open to the public at all times for the duration of the hunt. Hunters will be allowed to hunt each day of the open archery deer season. Two hunters will be selected to hunt each of the following parks;Harris Island,Camp Cozy,Sedge Meadow,Birch Meadow,Meadowvale Heights,Burr Oak and Alba Ridge Parks. Woodland Trails Regional Park will have five hunting zones,with two hunters assigned to each zone. Hillside City Park will have four hunting zones with two hunters assigned to each zone. Note,hunts may be canceled at any time if issues arise warranting that closure. Hunting Area Selection Hunt area selection will be chosen at random during the lottery drawing. No preference will be given to hunters for area selection for any reason. Hunters will receive notification of their assigned hunt zone during the pre-hunt orientation meeting. Emergency Contact Information For emergencies and to report non-hunting related issues, dial 911. To report hunting violations dial#TIP on your cell phone, or dial 1-800-652-9093. Rules of the Hunt 1. All hunters,except those with a handicap exemption,must hunt from an elevated stand a minimum of 6'above the ground. Approved handicap hunters may hunt in a ground blind and must be accompanied by a non-hunting mentor meeting the same qualifications as those needed for youth less than 18 years old. 2. Only portable stands supplied by the hunter are allowed. Permanent stands are not allowed. 3. Screw-in type steps are not allowed. Stands must be accessed by strap on steps or ladders. 4. All portable stands shall bear the name of the City of Elk River Hunter ID visible within five feet of the ground. 5. All hunters must wear a safety harness while in stand. 6. Only one stand per hunter. 7. Stands may be left in place within the hunters assigned hunt zone;however stands left unattended are at your own risk. It is recommended hunters remove their stand daily or secure their stand to the tree. 8. An article of blaze orange clothing must be worn when traveling to and from your hunting location. 9. All entrails of harvested deer shall be removed intact in a plastic bag and disposed of properly. 10. It is permissible to establish minimal shooting lanes. Only brush, small tree branches (1"in diameter or less) and buckthorn of all sizes may be removed for this purpose. No trees,big or small may be cut during the process. 11. The timing of the tracking of wounded deer is up to the individual hunter. Your bow may be carried while tracking on city park property,but not private property. Please ask permission before entering private property,whether it is posted or not. 12. To ensure the safety of the hunters,all hunters must contact the hunt manager prior to entering the hunt zone on each day that they hunt and again one hour after sunset on each night that they hunt to alert the manager of their status. 13. Kills and wounded animals must be reported within 24 hours of harvest by contacting the hunt manager. There is zero tolerance for breaking any rules of the hunt. Violators hunting privileges for Elk River's deer herd management hunts will be suspended immediately and they will not be permitted to apply for future hunts. I have ready the above rules and agree to abide by them. I, as the applicant, am fully aware of the inherent risks and hazards associated with hunting and the use of archery equipment. I knowingly and expressly assume the risk of my exposure to dangerous conditions. This assumption of risk does not extend to the willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct by the City or any person acting on behalf of the City. I, as the applicant, understand and agree that neither the City of Elk River, or any person acting on behalf of the City, may be held liable in any way for any event which occurs in connection with the hunting activity which may result in harm, death, injury or other damage to me. This waiver of liability does not waive liability for any injuries that I obtain as the result of willful, wanton or intentional misconduct by the City or any person acting on behalf of the City. Further,I as the applicant will fully defend and indemnify the City of Elk River from any claims, lawsuits, causes of action, or judgments arising or resulting from my activities. Last First Full middle name Name Address Date of birth MNDNR# Email Cell phone Home phone Signature Parent Signature if applicant is less than 18 If applying as a two person team,list your team members name