07-26-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council FROM: Chris Heineman, City Administrator Bryce Shearen, Parks & Recreation Director DATE: July 26, 2023 RE: 2023 Deer Control Program ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The City Council is asked to consider a motion to authorize the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) to conduct a special deer hunt in Little Canada in 2023. BACKGROUND: Over the past twenty years, the City Council Little Canada has maintained a deer management program involving education and periodic removal of deer. The previously stated goals of the program are: •To prevent starvation and disease from overpopulation of deer •To reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents involving deer •To preserve and protect the land of property owners •To maintain a population at a “socially acceptable” level Aerial survey data collected by Ramsey County Parks & Recreation indicated that the northeast part of the City (including a portion of Maplewood) showed dramatic growth in the deer population from 2003 to 2010. Control efforts were started in 2010 and results have indicated that the deer population has been at more sustainable levels since that time. City staff also reviewed best practices and consulted with other professionals regarding population control options. The results are as follows: 1)Fertility Control Drugs - Estimated cost is $250 to $500 per deer and is very labor intensive and must be administered to high percentage of female segment to produce any results. Future doses of fertility control drugs are typically necessary to produce long-term results. Research has not shown this to be a viable solution to address urban deer population issues. 2)Sharpshooters - This option is also expensive with costs in the range of $250 to $350 per deer. While this technique has proved effective in other Ramsey County areas, it was felt other options should be pursued first. 3)Urban Bowhunting Through Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) - Most cost efficient and safe method for reducing urban deer populations. Bowhunters can apply and are required to pass education and proficiency tests before approved to hunt. The City of Little Canada, in conjunction with MBRB, can decide on hunting details to best fit specific situations. Hunting takes place during the State of Minnesota archery season. 4)Allow private hunting through a permitting process utilizing the MN DNR archery season. Given the lack of large, privately owned sites and the concerns about controlling hunter activity, this option has been employed on a very limited basis for large parcels (>25 acres).