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I have also discussed the issue with John Moriarty, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation, <br />who coordinates deer hunts on County lands. Moriarty indicated that they have not done <br />much to assess the deer population within Little Canada given the limited County park <br />property (Gervais Beach). However, he believes there is an abundance of deer and would <br />be willing to assist the City. Moriarty reported that the County coordinates their hunts <br />with the Metro Bow Hunters Resource Board. This organization would conduct the hunt <br />at no charge to the City. The hunters are allowed to keep the deer they kill, or they can <br />donate the deer to the food shelf. The DNR processes the deer at no charge. <br />Moriarty recommended that the City not do anything for this year given the lateness in <br />the season. He suggested that during the winter, when he is flying other parts of the <br />County assessing the deer population, he fly Little Canada and determine the number and <br />location of deer ($300 for one hour of helicopter time). Once that information is <br />gathered, plans could be made for an organized hunt during the 2008 season. The County <br />would arrange for and manage the hunt at no charge to the City (other than the fly time <br />mentioned above). In addition to the St. John's Cemetery property, he also suggested <br />that this could be coordinated with the City of Maplewood and Little Canada property <br />owners in the LaBore Road area. The open space in Maplewood is too small to do a hunt <br />of just that area alone. <br />One other issue he mentioned with the St. John's Cemetery property is that their criteria <br />for hunts is sites of 20 acres or more and over 100 yards in width. Moriatry noted that a <br />well shot deer can travel 50 to 100 yards. Residential property owners abutting narrow <br />sites should be in agreement with the hunt since the deer can wander onto these <br />properties to die. The St. John's Cemetery property is 19 acres in size and approximately <br />100 yards wide. Moriarty pointed out that the hunters that belong to the Metro Bow <br />Hunters Resource Board should be able to plan the hunt on a narrow site such as this. <br />Moriarty mentioned that another option would be for the City to obtain a special permit <br />from the DNR and do an organized hunt outside the season. This would involve hunters <br />from the Metro Bow Hunters Resource Board baiting the deer and shooting them. The <br />deer would be donated to the food shelf, but the City would have to pay for processing <br />($70 per deer). Moriarty also mentioned that the Sheriff's Department does not keep <br />good records on deer /vehicle accidents. <br />City staff has a concern with granting a permit of this nature to an individual, and any <br />subsequent requests for permits by other individuals. If the Council's position is that <br />deer are causing a traffic hazard within the City, it would be staff's recommendation that <br />the County be authorized evaluation the population numbers and location this winter. <br />Once the information is available, the Council can determine the need for an organized <br />hunt. If that need exists, Ramsey County would then manage and coordinate the hunt for <br />Little Canada through the Metro Bow Hunters Resource Board. <br />cc: Nathan Johnson <br />