5.1. SR 09-05-2006
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Administration Se tember 5, 2006
Item Description
Consider Special Deer Hunting in City Parks
Item Number
5.l.
Prepared by
effre A. Beahen, Police Chief
Reviewed by
Introduction
The Police Department has been approached by the Conservation Division of the Department of
Natural Resources to conduct several controlled hunts in city parks or on city land this fall with
the intent to thin the deer population in these specific areas.
Discussion
The winters in Minnesota have been very mild, resulting in very little winter kill of our native
wildlife. Accompanying this is the increased development that continues in our community,
moving the wildlife into the remaining areas of habitat-specifically the remaining undeveloped
areas and the city parks.
The increased numbers of deer that remain in these smaller areas of habitat, have resulted in
increased spread of disease, an over abundance of deer ticks, inadequate food supplies and
damage to surrounding park property, and residential lawns and gardens.
Thinning of these herds is imperative, and must be done in order to maintain a balance of wildlife
that can be sustained by the remaining habitat that is available for the increased population.
Hunting would be supervised by the DNR, and all participants would be permitted through the
Police Department. Only DNR staff, ERPD, city staff or known sportspersons who can be
trusted with these special hunts would be allowed to participate. Hunting in city parks would be
bow and arrow only. The sludge land off of 165th would be shotgun slug and bow and arrow.
All park areas would be closed during the special hunts and clearly posted to prevent park users
from entering these areas during the hunts. Hunts would take place during the week, and not on
weekends (except for the 165th property) to allow residents to still utilize the parks. Hunting at the
sludge site would be coordinated through Gary Leirmoe.
Hunters would have to hunt from a tree stand, all tree stands would have to be removed each
night, and bows would be required to be covered while entering into and exiting the park area. No
hunting would be allowed near any marked or paved trail.
The participants would only be allowed to take anterless deer, and would have to "Earn a Buck"
by first thinning the herd by taking a minimum of three anterless deer, at which point the hunter
would have earned the chance to now take a buck. This keeps the program focused on the
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thinning of the herd, and not on someone coming in and taking a trophy buck-as there are several
of these in those areas.
The parks considered for this hunt are Woodland Trails and Hillside. The other city property is
the sludge land mentioned on 165th. Dates for the hunts would be Sept. 16-Dec. 31 for archery,
and Nov. 4-12 for slug. Alternative dates may be available if the DNR allows special hunts.
This is a common process, a safe way to manage our wildlife and one with proven results. The
DNR has coordinated hunts of this type in Bloomington, Fridley, and Minneapolis for years, all
without incident.
Financial Impact
There is no cost for this project. We would charge each hunter a $15 fee to cover office expenses.
Attachments
None
Action Requested
Request that the Council approve these special hunts for the purpose of controlling our deer
population.
Council Action
Motion by
Second by
Vote
Follow Up
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