4.12. SR 06-17-2019
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 4.12
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Consent June 17, 2019 Tim Sevcik, Street and Park Superintendent
Item Description Reviewed by
Deer Herd Management Plan Justin Femrite, Public Works 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
The city began conducting controlled archery deer hunts in an effort to control deer populations within
city parks in 2016. Staff and volunteers have worked with hunters over the past years to modify and
refine the hunts in order ensure public safety, hunt efficiency and effectiveness.
In 2018, 64 hunters applied and 26 hunters were selected to participate in the hunts. Hunters observed
683 deer during the hunt period and harvested 22 deer.
Hunters are randomly selected by a lottery preference point system with 26 total permits available. All
hunters selected must complete an archery proficiency test and attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation
meeting. In addition, an application fee of $10 is required at the time the application is submitted.
Parks included in the 2019 hunt are Harris Island, Camp Cozy, Sedge Meadow, Birch Meadow, Alba
Ridge, Woodland Trails Regional Park and Hillside City Park. A total of 13 hunts zones will be available
to hunt with two hunters assigned to each zone. Hunters may apply as individuals or in teams of two,
individual hunters will be partnered with another hunter within their zone.
The purpose of these hunts is to reduce deer densities in large park units to reduce car/deer collisions
and protect native habitat. Hunters are encouraged to harvest does; however bucks may be harvested with
antler point restrictions. Hunters are required to purchase a Minnesota deer archery license and follow all
applicable state hunting regulations. Deer harvest limits will follow the established limits from the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Financial Impact
$10 application fee due at time of application
Attachments
Deer Herd Management Rules
2019 City of Elk River
Deer Herd Management Archery Hunt Rules
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 has implemented 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.
Type of hunt
For hunters 18 and older, harvest limits will follow current year MN DNR regulations except that
antlered bucks must have at least one 4-point antler to be legal for harvest. 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 limits will follow current year
MN DNR regulations 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 firearm 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 and other hunt rules will result in a lifetime hunting ban for this hunt.
Application and Fees
Application fee: $10 per person due at the time of application submission
Applications are due by August 16, 2019.
Successful applicants will be notified by August 26, 2019.
Successful applicants must attend a pre-hunt orientation on September 5, 2019 at 6:30pm at the Elk
River Public Works Building, 19000 Proctor Road, Elk River, MN 55330.
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 $10 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
Twenty-Six (26) hunters will be selected by lottery for the 2019 archery hunt with two hunters
selected per zone; thirteen (13) 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. Your proficiency target must be presented at the time
of the orientation meeting to participate in the hunt. Your proficiency may be certified by making
arrangements to have it witnessed at Tales and Trails Sport Shop in Zimmerman or another archery
facility which conducts proficiency shooting tests. There may be a fee associated with conducting
the proficiency test dependent upon the vendor.
Lottery priority points are awarded as follows;
One point for each year of unsuccessful selection.
One point for an antlerless deer harvested 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 entered into the drawing as a team
and will be 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, and Alba
Ridge Parks. Woodland Trails Regional Park will have six hunting zones, with two hunters assigned
to each zone. Hillside City Park will have two 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 following successful selection on August 26, 2019.
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 hunter and 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 when they leave, but no later
than one hour after legal shooting hours on each day they hunt to alert the manager of their
status.
13. The hunter exit report should include the number of deer sighted along with a breakdown of
the number of fawns, does and bucks.
14. 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 # _____________________________________________
(Located on your MN DNR Hunting License)
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 ____________________________
Please submit completed application and $10 application fee to either of the following locations:
Deer Herd Management Program Deer Herd Management Program
Elk River Public Works Facility Elk River City Hall
19000 Proctor Road 13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330 Elk River, MN 55330