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<br /> <br /> Staff Report <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Steven Anderson, Parks & Recreation Director <br /> <br />DATE: June 22, 2026 <br /> <br />RE: 2026 Deer Management Program <br /> <br />Action To Be Considered: <br />Motion to approve, table, or deny the following: <br />• 2026 Deer Management Program, which includes no recommended control in 2026. <br /> <br />Background: <br />Since 2000, Little Canada has maintained a deer management program that includes <br />education and periodic deer removal. The previously stated goals of the program are: <br />• To prevent starvation and disease from the 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 /> <br />Aerial survey data collected by Ramsey County Parks & Recreation indicated that the <br />northeast part of the city (including a portion of Maplewood) showed dramatic growth in the <br />deer population from 2003 to 2010. Control efforts started in 2010, and results have indicated <br />that the deer population has been at more sustainable levels since that time. City staff also <br />reviewed the best practices and consulted with other professionals regarding population <br />control options. The results are as follows: <br />1. Fertility Control Drugs – original estimated costs were $300 to $550 per deer and is <br />very labor intensive and must be administered to high percentage of female segment to <br />produce any results. Future doses of fertility control drugs are typically necessary to <br />produce long-term results. Research has not shown this to be a viable solution to <br />address urban deer population issues. <br /> <br />2. Sharpshooters - this option is also expensive, with original estimated costs in the range <br />of $300 to $400 per deer. While this technique has proved effective in other Ramsey <br />County areas, it was felt other options should be pursued first. <br /> <br />3. Urban Bowhunting Through Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) - most cost <br />efficient and safest method for reducing urban deer populations. Bowhunters can <br />apply and are required to pass education and proficiency tests before being approved <br />to hunt. The City of Little Canada, in conjunction with MBRB, can decide on hunting <br />details to best fit specific situations. Hunting takes place during the State of Minnesota <br />archery season. <br />4. Allow private hunting through a permitting process utilizing the MN DNR archery <br />season. Given the lack of large, privately owned sites and the concerns about <br />controlling hunter activity, this option has been employed on a very limited basis for <br />large parcels (>25 acres).