4.9 SR 06-20-2023�,
Elk s �-
River
Request for Action
To Item Number
Ma Tor and CinT Council 4.9
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Consent A enda une 20, 2023 Tim Sevcik, Street and PaYk Su erintendent
Item Description Reviewed by
DeeY HeYd Management Plan ustin Femrite, P.E., Public WoYks Director
Reviewed by
Cal Pormer, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve, byT motion, authorization to conduct controlled archeryT deer hunts `vithin select park units.
Background/Discussion
The cit�T began conducting controlled archeryT deer hunts to control deer populations �uithin cit�T parks in 2016.
Staff and volunteeYs have worked with hunters over the past yeaYs to modify and Yefine the hunts in oYder ensure
public safetyT, hunt efficiencyT and effectiveness.
Hunters are randomlyT selected byT a lotteryT preference point system. 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 2023 hunt are Harris Island/Camp Cozy, Sedge Meadow, Birch Meadow, Alba Ridge,
Woodland Trails Regional Park, and Hillside CityT Park. A total of 12 hunt zones `vill be available to hunt `vith two
hunters assigned to each zone for a total of 24 permits. Hunters mayT applyT as individuals or in teams of t�vo,
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 required to purchase a Minnesota Deer Archer�T 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 fee to be paid byr applicants
Mission/Policy/Goal
OpportunityT to live, `vork, and play
Attachments
■ Deer Herd i�lanagement Rules
The Elk River Vision
A 2a�elcolning co�nlnunity 2a�ith T evolutiona� y and spizzted T esou� cefulness, exceptional
se�vice, and coln�nunity engagelnent that encou�ages and ins�iz•es pTo�pe�zty.
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Update�l• January 2023
2023 City of Elk River
Deer Herd Management Archery Hunt Rules
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As the metro area has continued to expand, parks have become enclosed `vith road`vayTs and developments,
that isolate deer populations. With insufficient natural predators, deer populations have increased be�Tond the
carr�Ting capacity of the land. To control deer population, increase public safettT on roadwa�Ts, and minimize
impacts on the environment and private property 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 `vithin the parks while minimizing the damage because of overpopulation.
Hunts `vill be managed b�T volunteers appointed b�T the Cit�T of Elk River.
Type of hunt
For hunters eighteen and older, harvest limits will follow current yTear iVlinnesota Department of Natural
ResouYces (DNR) regulations except that antleYed bucks must have at least one 4-point antleY to be legal foY
harvest.
For disabled hunters and hunters seventeen (17) yTears of age and under, harvest limits will follo`v current yTear
DNR regulations with no antler point restYictions.
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 shall:
1) Have a valid Minnesota DNR archeryT license including management license when applicable.
2) Possess a current yTear CinT of Elk River hunting permit.
3) Attend a pre-hunt orientation meeting.
4) Be at least eighteen (18) yeaYs old to hunt alone.
All hunters shall be Elk River Residents living within the Elk River corporate limit. This excludes
residents of adjacent townships with an Elk River mailing address.
Youth less than eighteen (18) yeaYs of age may hunt if theyr have both a valid DNR license and a qualified
adult supervisoY. The adult supervisoY must also possess a valid license oY have completed a DNR fireaYm
safet�r couYse and must Yemain in close pYoxirnityr (<50 feet) of the youth at all times. Both the youth and the
adult supervisor must complete their applications as a partyT. There must be one adult supervisor t�vent�T-one
oY oldeY for each youth undeY eighteen. HunteYs undeY eighteen (18) years of age must shoot their own deer.
Individuals with a big game violation in the last three (3) years are not eligible to participate in this hunt.
Violation of this rule and other hunting rules `vill result in a lifetime hunting ban for this hunt.
Application and Fees
Application fee: $10 non-refundable fee peY peYson is due at the time of application submission.
Applications aYe due by August 15, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by August 22, 2023.
Successful applicants must attend a pre-hunt orientation at 6:30 p.m., September 6, 2023, at the Elk River
Public Works Faciliry, 19000 Proctor Road, Elk River.
Hunters may applyT individuall�T or as a member of a two-person team. Hunters applyTing as a two-person team
must submit both applications together along with the $10 application fee for each hunter. Hunters applyTing
as a two-person team will enter at the lower of the preference levels of the t�vo hunters.
Hunter Selection
Twelve (12) zones will be available to hunt with twentyT-four (24) hunters selected by lotteryT for the 2023 hunt
with two hunters selected per zone. All selected hunters will be eligible to participate in the hunts and are
encouraged to coordinate hunting times and efforts with the other hunters within their respective zones.
Each hunter must successfull�T complete an archeryT proficienc�T test consisting of placing four (4) out of six
(6) shots into an eight-inch (8") diameteY taYget at 20 yaYds. The pYoficiency target must be presented at the
time of the orientation meeting to paYticipate in the hunt. PYoficiency shoots will be conducted from 5:30 -
7:00 p.m., August 30, 2023, at the Woodland Trails Regional Park Archery Range 20135 Elk Lake Rd NW.
Each applicant will get one chance in the lotteryr. Applicants not selected in past yreaYs will receive an
additionallotter�T chance for each yTear of unsuccessful selection. Hunters who applyT as a two-person team �vill
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 for the duration the open archeryT deer season. T`vo hunters will be
selected to hunt each of the following paYks:
- Harris Island/Camp Cozy
- Sedge Meadow Park
- Birch Meado`v Park
- Alba Ridge Park
Woodland TYails Regional PaYk will have siY hunting zones, with t�vo hunteYs assigned to each zone. Hillside
Cit�r Park will have t�vo hunting zones with two hunters assigned to each zone.
Hunts mayT be canceled at an�T time if issues arise warranting that closure.
Hunting Area Selection
Hunt area selection will be chosen at random during the lotteryT drawing with no preferences for area selection
for anyT reason. Hunters will receive notification of their assigned hunt zone follo�ving successful selection on
August 22, 2023.
Emergency Contact Information
For emergencies and to report non-hunting related issues, dia1911. To report hunting violations dial #TIP on
�rour cell phone or dial 1-800-652-9093.
Hunt Rules
All hunters, except those with a handicap exemption, must hunt from an elevated stand a minimum
of six (6) feet above the ground. Approved handicap hunters mayT hunt in a ground blind and must be
accompanied b�T a non-hunting mentor meeting the same qualifications as those needed for yTouth less
than 18 �reaYs old.
2. Only portable stands supplied by the hunter are allowed. Permanent stands are prohibited.
3. Screw-in ty-pe steps are prohibited. Stands must be accessed b�T strap on steps or ladders.
4. r1ll poYtable stands shall bear the name of the hunteY and the City of Elk Bivey Huntey ID visible within
five (5) feet of the ground.
5. All hunters must `vear a safet�T harness `vhile in a stand.
6. Only- two stands per hunter.
7. Stands ma�T be left in place �vithin the hunter's assigned hunt zone; ho�vever, stands left unattended
are at yTour own risk. It is recommended stands be removed dail�T or secured to the tree.
8. An article of blaze orange clothing must be `vorn `vhen traveling to and from yTour hunting location.
9. All harvested deer entrails shall be removed intact in a plastic bag and disposed of properl�T.
10. The establishment of rniuimal shooting lanes is peYmissible. Onlyr 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,
may be cut down during the process.
11. The tirniug of the tracking of wounded deer is up to the hunteY. A bow may be caYried while tracking
on cityT park property, but not private propertyT. Please ask permission before entering private
propeYtyr, whetheY 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 dayr the�r hunt and when the�r leave, but no later than one houY after legal shooting
hours on each dayr theyr hunt to alert the manageY of their status.
13. Following each hunt, the hunter shall send an exit report to the hunt manager to include the number
of deer sighted along with a breakdo`vn 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.
15. The 2023 hunt manager is Wa�rne 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 read 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 ofarchery equipment. I knowingly and expressly assume the risk ofmy exposure to dangerous
conditions. This assumption ofrisk does not extend to the willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct
by the City ofElk River ("City") or any person acting on behalf of the City.
I, as the applicant, understand and agree that neither the City, 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 mayresultin harm, death, injury, or other damage to me. This waiver ofliability does
not waive liabrlity for any injuries that I obtain as the result ofwrllful, wanton, or intentional
misconduct by the City or anyperson acting on behalfofthe City. Further, I as the applrcant will
fully defend and indemnify the City from any claims, lawsuits, causes ofaction, or judgments arising
or resulting from my activrties.
Last First Full middle name
Name
Address
Date of birth
MNDNR #
(Located on yTour DNR Hunting License)
Email
Cell phone
Home phone
Signature
Parent SignatuYe if applicant is less than 18
If applying as a t�vo-person team, list youY team membeYs name
Please sul�lnit colnpleted application and ,�90 application fee to eitheT� of the follo�a�ing locations:
By Mail In PeT:son
Dee�� He�� Manage�nent Pz og�ayn DeeT� He�� Manage�nent P� og�aln
Elk l�iveT� Pul�lic i�o�ks Faczlity Elk AiveT� City Hall
99000 PzoctoT�Boad 13065 OTono Pa�k2��ay
Elk Biver•, MN 55330 Elk BiveT; MN 55330