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STAFF REPORT <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council <br />FROM:Steven Anderson, Parks & Recreation Director <br />DATE: May 28, 2025 <br />RE:2025 Deer Management Program <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED <br />Approval of the 2025 Deer Management Program, which includes no recommended hunt in 2025. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Since 2000, Little Canada has maintained a deer management program involving education and <br />periodic removal of deer. The previously stated goals of the program are: <br />To prevent starvation and disease from overpopulation of deer <br />To reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents involving deer <br />To preserve and protect the land of property owners <br />To maintain a population at a “socially acceptable” level <br />Aerial survey data collected by Ramsey County Parks & Recreation indicated that the northeast part <br />of the city (including a portion of Maplewood) showed dramatic growth in the deer population from <br />2003 to 2010. Control efforts started in 2010, and results have indicated that the deer population has <br />been at more sustainable levels since that time. City staff also reviewed the best practices and <br />consulted with other professionals regarding population control options. The results are as follows: <br />1.Fertility Control Drugs – Original estimated costs were $300 to $550 per deer and is very <br />labor intensive and must be administered to high percentage of female segment to produce <br />any results. Future doses of fertility control drugs are typically necessary to produce long- <br />term results. Research has not shown this to be a viable solution to address urban deer <br />population issues. <br />2.Sharpshooters - This option is also expensive with original estimated costs in the range of <br />$300 to $400 per deer. While this technique has proved effective in other Ramsey County <br />areas, it was felt other options should be pursued first. <br />3.Urban Bowhunting Through Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) - Most cost <br />efficient and safest method for reducing urban deer populations. Bowhunters can apply and <br />are required to pass education and proficiency tests before approved to hunt. The City of <br />Little Canada, in conjunction with MBRB, can decide on hunting details to best fit specific <br />situations. Hunting takes place during the State of Minnesota archery season. <br />4.Allow private hunting through a permitting process utilizing the MN DNR archery season. <br />Given the lack of large, privately owned sites and the concerns about controlling hunter <br />activity, this option has been employed on a very limited basis for large parcels (>25 acres).