07-28-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Prior to implementing the Deer Management Program, the number of citizen complaints about deer had been increasing. Residents are typically concerned that the local deer population increases the risk of car/ deer accidents or that deer are causing damage to plants and landscaping throughout the community. A significant amount of staff time was also dedicated to dealing with complaints and removing deer that had been struck by vehicles. Since the program was implemented in 2009, the deer population has dropped to more manageable levels and complaints have subsided. Deer Management Goal & Objectives Management Goal: Manage deer populations at healthy and socially acceptable level Management Objectives: • Develop a management program to maintain deer populations within acceptable limits • Maintain an overall deer population of approximately 10 deer per square mile (40 deer) • Manage deer populations within the City so as not to exceed 20 deer per square mile • Manage deer populations to reduce the number of car/deer collisions • Educate residents as to the value of deer and deer habitat; minimizing nuisance problems through planting and landscaping; and the ramifications of supplemental deer feeding • Create a uniform system for handling resident input relative to deer management • Pass an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer and other wild animals/fowl Management Policies 1) The City will continue to contract with Ramsey County Parks & Recreation for annual aerial deer survey services. The annual survey, resident input, and the availability of suitable hunt sites shall be used as a basis for determining the extent and location of any deer removal efforts for the upcoming season. 2) Attempt to document all resident input, including phone calls, e-mails and letters. These shall be collected by the City Administrator and be provided to the City Council for its annual evaluation of the deer management program. 3) Deer removal efforts necessary to achieve City objectives shall be limited to archery and shall be conducted by the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) or by private property owners when they have a site at least 20 acres in size and the hunters pass appropriate proficiency criteria and abide by City hunt rules. 4) Deer removal operations shall be conducted on public property where practical, and on private property where conditions are conducive to archery and of sufficient size and development is limited. Combinations of parcels to yield a site of sufficient size (ideally no less than 20 acres) and with limited development are acceptable; subject to property owner consent. 5) Notice will be mailed prior to the first removal date to all property owners whose land adjoins a proposed deer removal site. The notice shall include the dates of all hunts for that season and contact information for deer management personnel (city staff and law enforcement). 6) The City will provide deer management information to its residents through the City’s newsletter and website. RECOMMENDED ACTION: If the Council wishes to authorize a control hunt in 2021, staff recommends the following conditions: 1. Based on the 2021 aerial survey count of 31 deer located within the city limits, a special hunt should be capped to meet the management objective of 10 deer per square mile. 2. The City of Little Canada partner with MBRB to conduct a special deer hunt in a limited area for a specified period of time. City staff should be directed to work with MBRB to determine the area.