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Prior to implementing the Deer Management Program, the number of complaints about deer had been <br />increasing. Residents are typically concerned that the local deer population increases the risk of car/ <br />deer accidents or that deer are causing damage to plants and landscaping throughout the community. <br />Since the program was implemented in 2009 and the deer population has dropped to more manageable <br />levels, complaints have subsided. <br />Deer Management Goal/Objectives/Policies <br />Management Goal: Manage deer populations within the city at socially acceptable levels. <br />Management Objectives: <br />• Develop a management program to maintain deer populations within acceptable limits <br />• Maintain an overall deer population of approximately 10 deer per square mile (40 deer) <br />• Manage deer populations within the City so as not to exceed 20 deer per square mile <br />• Reduce the number of car/deer collisions <br />• Educate residents as to the value of deer and deer habitat; minimizing nuisance problems <br />through planting and landscaping; and the ramifications of supplemental deer feeding <br />•Create a uniform system for handling resident input relative to deer management <br />• Pass an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer and other wild animals/fowl. <br />Management Policies <br />1)The City will continue to contract with Ramsey County Parks & Recreation for annual aerial <br />deer survey services. The annual survey, resident input, and the availability of suitable hunt <br />sites shall be used as a basis for determining the extent and location of any deer removal efforts <br />for the upcoming season. <br />2) Attempt to document all resident input, including phone calls, e-mails and letters. These shall <br />be collected by the City Administrator and be provided to the City Council for its annual <br />evaluation of the deer management program. <br />3)Deer removal efforts necessary to achieve City objectives shall be limited to archery and shall <br />be conducted by the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) or by private property owners <br />when they have a site at least 20 acres in size and the hunters pass appropriate proficiency <br />criteria and abide by City hunt rules. <br />4) Deer removal operations shall be conducted on public property where practical, and on private <br />property where conditions are conducive to archery and of sufficient size and development is <br />limited. Combinations of parcels to yield a site of sufficient size (ideally no less than 20 acres) <br />and with limited development are acceptable; subject to property owner consent. <br />5)Notice will be mailed prior to the first removal date to all property owners whose land adjoins a <br />proposed deer removal site. The notice shall include the dates of all hunts for that season and <br />contact information for deer management personnel (city staff and law enforcement). <br />6) The City will provide deer management information to its residents through the City’s <br />newsletter and website. <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION: <br />City staff has had several conversations with a representative from the Metro Bowhunters Resource <br />Base (MBRB). Staff will provide additional details at the City Council meeting. <br />If the Council wishes to authorize a control hunt in 2020, staff recommends the following conditions: <br />1.Based on the 2020 aerial survey count of 43 deer located within the Little Canada city limits, a <br />special hunt should be capped at 10 or fewer deer to meet the management objective of 10 deer per <br />square mile (40 deer). <br />2.The City of Little Canada partner with MBRB to conduct a special hunt over two weekends <br />3.The City of Little Canada authorize a special hunt only in limited area as indicated on the <br />attached map.