8.5. SR 06-05-2017
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.5
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business June 5, 2017 Tim Sevcik, Parks Maintenance Superintendent
Item Description Reviewed by
Deer Herd Management Plan Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, authorization to conduct controlled archery deer hunts within select park units.
Background/Discussion
In 2016, the city conducted its first ever controlled archery deer hunts in an effort to control deer
populations within city parks. Hunts in 2016 consisted of 20 hunters being selected for 10 hunt zones
with hunts conducted on Sundays through Wednesdays for the duration of the Minnesota archery deer
season. Nine deer were harvested, eight does and one buck, from each property with the exception of
Harris Island.
Following the controlled hunts, staff and volunteers conducted a post-hunt meeting with the selected
hunters to gather feedback and recommendations. Overall, hunters were satisfied and recommended
adding additional opportunities to include multiple hunters per zone, increasing the number of parks
available to hunt, and to allow hunting every day of the week. Following the meeting, the hunt organizers
and staff reviewed the recommendations and developed the 2017 Deer Herd Management Plan.
Key changes to the 2017 plan include allowing hunting to occur seven days per week throughout the
entire hunt season; selecting two hunters per hunt zone; and expanding the hunt to include Hillside City
Park, Meadowvale Heights Park and Alba Ridge Park in addition to Woodland Trails Regional Park,
Harris Island, Camp Cozy, Sedge Meadow, and Birch Meadow.
Hunter selection will be conducted by lottery preference point with 30 total permits available. All hunters
selected must complete an archery proficiency test and attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation meeting.
The parks will remain open to the public for the duration of the hunts. Public notification will be
provided on the city website, through social media outlets and via signs located near park access points.
Financial Impact
$5 application fee due at time of application
$25 processing fee for successful applicants due at orientation
Attachments
Deer Herd Management Plan
City of Elk River
Deer Herd Management Archery Hunt
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 Minnesota 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 (30) hunters will be selected by lottery for the 2017 archery hunt with two hunters selected
per zone; fifteen (15) 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 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 violation of hunt rules. Elk River Deer Herd Management Hunt
privileges shall be suspended immediately and indefinitely for any violation.
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 ____________________________