Laserfiche WebLink
Eclty1� ,.,�� Request for Action <br /> River <br /> To Item Number <br /> Mayor and City Council 4.3 <br /> Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br /> Consent November 7,2016 Tim Sevcik, Parks Superintendent <br /> Item Description Reviewed by <br /> Deer Herd Management Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br /> Reviewed by <br /> Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> Action Requested <br /> Approve,by motion, changes to the Deer Herd Management Program rules for 2016 to include Sundays <br /> as available days to hunt and to allow hunters to harvest up to two deer within the parks. <br /> Background/Discussion <br /> At the August 15, 2016, Council meeting, the City Council approved controlled archery deer hunts within <br /> select park units within the city including specified hunt rules to manage the hunts. Twenty hunters were <br /> selected through a lottery drawing and attended the mandatory pre-hunt orientation meeting on <br /> September 7, 2016;hunting commenced on September 17, 2016. <br /> On October 26, 2016, the deer herd management team discussed potential changes to the hunt rules <br /> based on hunter feedback. The team recommends two rule changes to increase hunter participation, <br /> improve the quality of the hunts, and provide hunters with a greater opportunity to harvest deer. <br /> Adding Sundays as an available hunt day allows an expanded opportunity in the field. Due to the <br /> decreasing daylight hours,hunter participation in the field has diminished as the hunters are unable to <br /> participate in the mornings and evenings due to work schedules. Daylight savings time on November 5, <br /> 2016,will further inhibit participation for the season which ends December 31, 2016. <br /> Additionally, the team recommends increasing the one-deer limit to a two-deer limit to encourage hunters <br /> to harvest does within the parks. Hunters said they have had the opportunity to harvest does they do not <br /> want to utilize their one park permit for a doe. Increasing the limit to two deer will allow hunters to <br /> harvest a doe while preserving their opportunity to harvest a buck. Minnesota Department of Natural <br /> Resources regulations authorize a two-deer limit for the permit zone encompassing Elk River. <br /> Financial Impact <br /> There is no impact to the city General Fund. <br /> Attachments <br /> ■ Amended Deer Herd Management Plan <br /> POWERED 6T <br /> AR <br />