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<br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council 4.12 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />Consent June 17, 2019 Tim Sevcik, Street and Park Superintendent <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Deer Herd Management Plan Justin Femrite, Public Works Director <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Approve, by motion, authorization to conduct controlled archery deer hunts within select park units. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The city began conducting controlled archery deer hunts in an effort to control deer populations within <br />city parks in 2016. Staff and volunteers have worked with hunters over the past years to modify and <br />refine the hunts in order ensure public safety, hunt efficiency and effectiveness. <br /> <br />In 2018, 64 hunters applied and 26 hunters were selected to participate in the hunts. Hunters observed <br />683 deer during the hunt period and harvested 22 deer. <br /> <br />Hunters are randomly selected by a lottery preference point system with 26 total permits available. All <br />hunters selected must complete an archery proficiency test and attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation <br />meeting. In addition, an application fee of $10 is required at the time the application is submitted. <br /> <br />Parks included in the 2019 hunt are Harris Island, Camp Cozy, Sedge Meadow, Birch Meadow, Alba <br />Ridge, Woodland Trails Regional Park and Hillside City Park. A total of 13 hunts zones will be available <br />to hunt with two hunters assigned to each zone. Hunters may apply as individuals or in teams of two, <br />individual hunters will be partnered with another hunter within their zone. <br /> <br />The purpose of these hunts is to reduce deer densities in large park units to reduce car/deer collisions <br />and protect native habitat. Hunters are encouraged to harvest does; however bucks may be harvested with <br />antler point restrictions. Hunters are required to purchase a Minnesota deer archery license and follow all <br />applicable state hunting regulations. Deer harvest limits will follow the established limits from the <br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br /> $10 application fee due at time of application <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> Deer Herd Management Rules <br /> <br />