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4.11 SR 06-20-2022�, c��ty or Elk � � River�- Request for Action To Item Number MatiroY and Cinr Council 4.11 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Consent une 20, 2022 Tim Sevcik, Street and Park Su erintendent Item Description Reviewed by Deer Herd Management Plan ustin Femrite, Public Works Director Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested Approve, byT motion, authorization to conduct controlled archery deer hunts within select park units. Background/Discussion The cityT began conducting controlled archeryT deer hunts in an effort to control deer populations �uithin cityT parks in 2016. Staff and volunteers have `vorked `vith hunters over the past yTears to modifyT and Yefine the hunts in ordeY ensure public safetyr, hunt efficiency and effectiveness. Hunters are randomly selected by a lotteryT preference point syTstem. All hunters selected must complete an archeryT proficiencyT test and attend a mandatoryT pre-hunt orientation meeting. In addition, an application fee of $10 is required at the time the application is submitted. Parks included in the 2022 hunt are Harris Island/Camp Coz�T, Sedge Meadow, Birch Meadow, Alba Ridge, Woodland Trails Regional Park, and Hillside Cityr PaYk. A total of 12 hunt zones will be available to hunt with two hunters assigned to each zone foY a total of 24 peYmits. Hunters mayr applyr as individuals or in teams of t�vo, individual hunters `vill be parmered `vith another hunter `vithin 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 required to purchase a iVlinnesota deer archer�r 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 rowEAED er ������ 2022 City of Elk River Deer Herd Management Archery Hunt Rules Kive r As the metro aYea has continued to expand, paYks have become enclosed with roadways and developments, isolating deer populations. With the lack of sufficient natural predators, deer populations have increased beyTond the carr�Ting capacityT of the land. In an effort to control deer populations, increase public safetyT on the road`va�Ts, and minimize impacts on the environment as `vell as private propert�T surrounding park land, the Cit�T of Elk River has implemented controlled archeryT deer hunts. The intent of these hunts is to maintain a healthyT population of deer within the parks while minimizing the damage as a result of over population. Hunts will be managed byr volunteeYs appointed byr the Cityr of Elk River. Type of hunt For hunters 18 and older, harvest limits `vill follow current yTear 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 y ears of age and under, harvest limits will follow current y-ear MN DNR regulations with no antler point restrictions). This is a walk-in hunt. All Elk River CityT parks are closed to public motor vehicle use. Vehicles must be parked in designated areas and displayT 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. Ei�g�b�i�ty All hunters must have a valid iVlinnesota DNR archeryT license (including management license �vhen applicable) All hunters must possess a current yTear CityT of Elk River hunting permit. All hunters must attend a pre-hunt orientation meeting. r1ll hunteYs must be at least 18 years old to hunt alone. All hunters must be an Elk River Resident (You must live within the Elk River city limits. This excludes people who reside in adjacent townships but have an Elk River mailing address). 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 veryT close pro�mityT (<50 feet) of the yTouth at all times. Both the yTouth and the adult supervisor must complete their applications as a partyT. There must be one adult supervisoY 21 oY o1deY to each yrouth undeY 18. HunteYs undeY 18 �reaYs of age must shoot their otivn deeY. 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 non-refundable fee per person is due at the time of application submission Applications aYe due by August 15, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified byr August 22, 2022. Successful applicants must attend a pYe-hunt orientation on SeptembeY 6, 2022 at 6:30pm at the Elk River Public Works Building, 19000 Proctor Road, Elk River, MN 55330. Hunters mayT applyT individuallyT or as a member of a two person team. Hunters applyTing as a t�vo person team must submit both applications together along `vith the $10 application fee for each hunter in the team. Hunters appl�Ting as a two person team will enter at the lower of the preference levels of the two hunters. Hunter Selection TwentyT-Four (24) hunters will be selected byT lotteryT for the 2022 archeryT hunt with two hunters selected peY zone; t�uelve (12) total zones tivill 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 otheY hunteY within their respective zones. Each hunteY must successfully complete an archeryr pYoficiency test consisting of placing 4 out of 6 shots into an 8" diameter target at 20 yaYds. Your pYoficiency taYget must be presented at the time of the orientation meeting to participate in the hunt. Proficiency shoots will be conducted on August 31, 2022 at the Woodland TYails Regional Park aYchery Yange, 20135 Elk Lake Rd NW, Elk River, MN 55330, from 5:30-7:00. LotteryT priorit�T points are awarded as follows; One point for each yeaY of unsuccessful selection. Each applicant will get one chance in the lotteryr, plus one additional chance for each preference point Hunters who app1�T as a two-person team will be entered into the drawing as a team and will be assigned the same hunt zone togetheY. 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 aYcheryr deer season. Two hunters will be selected to hunt each of the following parks, Harris Island/Camp CozyT, Sedge Meadow, Birch Meadow, and Alba Ridge Parks. Woodland Trails Regional Park will have six hunting zones, `vith t�vo hunters assigned to each zone. Hillside City Park will have two hunting zones with t�vo hunters assigned to each zone. Note, hunts mayT be canceled at any time if issues arise `varranting that closure. Hunting Area Selection Hunt aYea selection will be chosen at Yandom during the lotteryr drawing. No pYefeYence will be given to hunters for area selection for anyT reason. Hunters will receive notification of their assigned hunt zone following successful selection on August 22, 2022. Emergency Contact Information For emeYgencies and to YepoYt non-hunting related issues, dial 911. To report hunting violations dial #TIP on �Tour cell phone, or dial 1-800-652-9093. Rules of the Hunt 1. All hunteYs, except those with a handicap exemption, must hunt from an elevated stand a minimum of 6' above the ground. Approved handicap hunters mayT hunt in a ground blind and must be accompanied byT a non-hunting mentor meeting the same qualifications as those needed foY youth less than 18 yreaYs old. 2. Only portable stands supplied by the hunter are allowed. Permanent stands are not allowed. 3. Scre`v-in tyTpe steps are not allo`ved. Stands must be accessed byT strap on steps or ladders. 4. All portable stands sha11 bear the name of the hunter and the City of Elk BiveT� HunteT� ID visible within five feet of the ground. 5. r1ll hunters must weaY a safetyr harness while in stand. 6. Only t�vo stands per hunter. 7. Stands may be left in place within the hunters assigned hunt zone; howeveY stands left unattended are at yTour own risk. It is recommended hunters remove their stand dailyT or secure their stand to the tree. 8. An article of blaze orange clothing must be ��orn `vhen traveling to and from your hunting location. 9. All entrails of harvested deer shall be removed intact in a plastic bag and disposed of properlyT. 10. It is permissible to establish minimal shooting lanes. On1yT brush, small tree branches (1" in diameter or less) and buckthorn of all sizes mayT be removed for this purpose. No trees, big or small mayT be cut during the process. 11. The timing of the tracking of wounded deer is up to the individual hunter. Your bow mayT be carried `vhile tracking on city park propertyT, but not private propertyT. Please ask permission before entering private propert�r, whether it is posted or not. 12. To ensure the safetyT 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 theyT leave, but no later than one hour after legal shooting hours on each day they hunt to alert the manager of their status. 13. Following each hunt, the hunter shall send an exit report to the hunt manager that should include the number of deer sighted along with a breakdown of the number of fawns, does and bucks. 14. Kills and `vounded animals must be reported `vithin 24 hours of harvest byT contacting the hunt manager. 15. The 2022 hunt manager is Wayne Becklin, 763-232-3934. There is zero tolerance for violation of hunt rules. Elk River Deer Herd Management Hunt privileges shall be suspended immediately and indefnitely for any violation. I have ready the above rules and agree to abide by them. I, as the applrcant, am fully aware of the inherent risks and hazards associated wrth hunting and the use ofarchery equipment. I knowingly and expressly assume the risk ofmy exposure to dangerous conditions. This assumption ofrisk does not extend to the willful, wanton, orintentional misconduct by the City or anyperson acting on behalfofthe City. I, as the applicant, understand and agree that neither the City ofElk River, or any person acting on behalf of the City, may be held liable in any way for any event which occurs in connection wrth the hunting activity which mayresult in harm, death, injury or other damage to me. This waiver oflrability does not waive Iiabrlity for any injuries that I obtain as the result of wrllful, wanton or intentional misconduct by the City or any person acting on behalfofthe City. Further, I as the applrcant wi11 fully defend and indemnify the City ofElk Rrver from any claims, lawsuits, causes ofaction, or judgments arising or resulting from my activities. Last Name Address Date of birth First Full middle name MNDNR # (Located on yTour MN DNR Hunting License) Email Cell phone Home phone Signature PaYent SignatuYe if applicant is less than 18 If applyring as a two person team, list youY team membeYs name Please sud��nit co�nplete�l application and ,� 10 application fee to eitbe�� of tbe follo�a�ing locations: By Mail DeeT• He� � Manage�nent PT og7 a�n Elk Bive�� Pul�lic 1�0� ks Facility >9000 Procto�• Boad Elk BiveT; MN 55330 In PeTson DeeT• HeTd Managelnent P� ogTaln Elk l�iveT� City Hall 13065 Orono Pa�k2a�ay Elk BiveT, MN 55330