05-28-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CONTROL RESULTS In the fall of 2009, the City contracted with Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB), a non- profit organization of bowhunters to conduct a controlled hunt in the area of St. John’s Cemetery and other adjoining lands. 13 deer were removed from that area over three, two-day hunt periods that were spaced three weeks apart. The first hunt resulted in 10 deer being taken. The second yielded three deer and no deer were taken during the last hunt. In 2010, the hunt areas were expanded, and 52 deer were taken in the designated control areas. Even with 52 deer taken and 42 taken from the NE area of the city, the population only dropped from 81 to 69 in that area. Furthermore, the St. John’s Cemetery Area had been hunted for two years and still had a population of 13 deer. That number was down only one deer from 2010. This indicates the need for a continued program if numbers are to be reduced and maintained at acceptable levels. In 2011, 33 deer were taken from the designated deer hunt areas. We also added additional hunt areas consisting of Gervais Mill, LC Elementary (south portion) & Spooner Park, and the Frattalone Property). These areas had additional restrictions and were late season additions. No deer were taken from these areas in 2011. In 2012, hunting areas remained the same. Twenty (20) deer were taken in Little Canada and an additional 7 were taken in the Spoon Lake area added by the City of Maplewood. In 2013, 12 deer were taken from approved hunt areas. An additional eight (8) deer were taken in Maplewood in the Spoon Lake Area and Fisher’s Corner. In 2014, a total of only six (6) deer were taken in Little Canada. An additional seven (7) deer were taken in nearby locations in Maplewood. In 2015, the only permit issued was for the Frattalone Property. No hunting on other sites in Little Canada was permitted. In 2016, no hunting was permitted within the City of Little Canada In 2017, a limited special hunt was permitted on the Scully property and the MBRB site. A total of nine (9) deer were taken in 2017. In 2018, no hunting was permitted within the City of Little Canada In 2019, no hunting was permitted within the City of Little Canada In 2020, no hunting was permitted within the City of Little Canada In 2021, no hunting was permitted within the City of Little Canada In 2022, a special hunt was authorized in partnership with the City of Maplewood for an area just east of Lake Gervais surrounding Spoon Lake. A total of nine (9) deer were taken in 2022. The City’s intent with this initiative has not been to eradicate deer from the community. Deer are considered a valuable element of Little Canada’s ecosystem. Prior to the implementation of the Deer Management Program in 2010, the number of citizen complaints about deer was increasing. Residents were 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 and a significant amount of staff time was dedicated to dealing with complaints and removing deer that had been struck by vehicles. Deer Management Goal & Objectives Maintain deer populations at healthy and socially acceptable level Manage the overall deer population of approximately 10 deer per square mile (40 deer) Manage concentrated deer populations so as not to exceed 20 deer per square mile Manage deer populations to reduce the number of car/deer collisions Pass an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer and other wild animals/fowl Educate residents on how to minimize nuisance problems through planting and landscaping; and the ramifications of supplemental deer feeding