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Home My WebLink About5F - Special Deer Hunt /" ~ /o~ PR~~\ It:O~ 4646 Dakota Street S.E. U ~ Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 \ ~ ~ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: September 8, 2009 ~ 5F r f', Frank Boyles, City Manager H () AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL DEER HUNT WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing a special bow deer hunt to cull the herd in the Spring Lake Regional Park. Historv The Prior Lake City Code Section 804.500 Soecial Hunts states, "the discharge of a firearm in the City will be permitted by a person participating in a special hunt, which is in compliance with State law and regulations established by the Prior Lake City Council upon the recommendation of the Department of Natural Resources, for the purpose of reducing animal populations that create a potential health, safety or general welfare problem in the City. The Prior Lake City Council, on its own resolution, may authorize a special hunt, or a property owner may make application to the City council to authorize a special hunt on such property owner's lands." For the last fourteen years, a special hunt has been conducted within Spring Lake Regional Park property. Since the park is now within the City limits and thirty-nine acres of the property are owned by the City, the Council's approval is solicited for the special hunt. Current Circumstances Patricia Freeman, representing the Scott County Natural Resources Department, has requested that a special deer bow hunting season be authorized by the City Council on lands within Prior Lake. The bow hunting season is tentatively identified for the following dates: · September 25 through October 4 · October 22 - November 5 · November 27 through December 6 The hunt would take place within Spring Lake Regional Park land. As a safety buffer, no shooting is allowed within 25 yards (75 feet) of the property boundaries. The County works cooperatively with the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base which organizes the archers, ensuring proper training and experience. The hunt is operated according to State hunting statute and City of Prior Lake ordinance. Scott County establishes rules as well as regulating hunt day parking. www.cityofpriorlake.com phoneQ.52.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 ISSUES: FINANCIAL IMPACT: AL TERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: Scott County posts signs throughout the park at key access points to inform visitors of the hunt and hunt periods. In addition, notification letters are sent to property owners adjacent to the regional park and city land. Security and emergency procedures are established and shared with the hunters addressing what to do if a wounded animal leaves the property, procedures for hunter injury, process for resolving disputes between hunters and who to contact at participating agencies for information. The deer population of this area has ranged by count from 17 - 44. Although only eight animals were counted in the park on one day in 2009, Ms. Freeman reports that the area deer population is estimated at 50 animals, which is generally higher than what is recommended by the Department of Natural Resources in terms of having a healthy forest community. Deer can be destructive to adjacent properties if their numbers result in too much competition for food. Moreover, they can constitute a hazard for motor vehicles and their occupants. In recent years, four to eight animals were taken during the hunt program. The special hunt is well organized and complies both with State statute and City Code as the ordinance requires. Safety precautions are taken for the benefit of the hunters, visitors and adjacent property owners. Notification and communication procedures are established for all of the above as well. In short, the issues which could be raised by this proposal appear to have been addressed. Attached is a program summary which provides additional information. With the exception of staff time, there is no cost to Scott County or the City of Prior Lake. The two alternatives available to the Council are: 1. Approve the attached resolution authorizing the special deer bow hunt for the locations and dates set forth therein. 2. Adopt the resolution with modifications. 3. Take no action and request additional information. Alternative #1. 00 ~ P.R10l> ,.l.., ~ t . ~ u ~ I:'r1 ~/NNE50'\~/ 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake. MN 55372-1714 RESOLUTION 09-xxx A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL DEER HUNT FOR THE SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK PROPERTY INCLUDING 39 ACRES OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED THEREIN. Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, For the last fourteen years, the Scott County Department of Natural Resources has conducted a special hunt on the Spring Lake Regional Park property including 39 acres now owned by the City of Prior Lake; and WHEREAS, The purpose of the deer hunt is to thin the herd for public safety and health reasons; and WHEREAS, The hunt is conducted in full accordance with State Statute and City Code; and WHEREAS, Section 804 of the Prior Lake City Code provides for special hunts; and WHEREAS, The hunt is tentatively proposed for the following dates: · September 25' through October 4 · October 22 - November 5 · November 27 through December 6. WHEREAS, Safety and communication procedures have been established and a method for communication is in place. NOWTHEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. A special bow deer hunt is hereby approved if conducted in compliance with Prior Lake City Code Section 804 and in accordance with the "Scott County Spring Lake Regional Park 2009 White-tailed Deer Management Hunt Program Summary" (including hunt location map). PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 8th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2009. YES NO I Haugen I Erickson I Hedberg I LeMair I Millar Haugen Erickson Hedberg LeMair Millar Frank Boyles, City Manager www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 Spring l~ake Regional Park 2009 Special Bow Hllllt for Deer - Site Map ~. ....... This hunt has special permit status. To participate. hunters must be selected through the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base and Scott County process. The 2009 hunt is no longer open to new hunters. To learn more about participating in the 2010 hunt go to: www.mbrb.org. or call 952-496-8752. Boundaries shown are approximate. Map created by Scott County Parks. Allgust. 2009 Legend Snowmobile Trail .: : 2009 Hunt Boundary City of Prior Lake - park CScolt County - regional park D Tax Parcels Special Per mil Parking Site 4 SCOTT COUNIY PARKS AND TRAILS DEPARTMENT SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK 2008 WHITE-TAILED DEER MANAGEMENT ARCHERY HUNT PROGRAM SUMMARY _ Last Updated August 14, 2009 - Program Purpose and Goals: The purpose of the Spring Lake Regional Park deer management program is to control the white- tailed deer population of the park for the purpose of sustaining ecological health of the park and to assist in minimizing human-deer conflicts on adjacent properties and road-ways. The program is intended to limit over-browsing, and subsequent degradation of native plant communities and rare species, and to serve as a proactive measure in anticipation of future increased deer-human conflicts, such as collisions with cars and residential landscape damage. Over the next decade as the landscape surrounding the park transitions to a more residential and less agricultural and natural one, the animals are likely to adjust their eating habits to include residential landscaping materials and to seek more of their diet from park vegetation. As is commonly seen in newly developing areas, the change in landscape will likely not be accompanied by a reduction in deer numbers. As the rural landscape is developed, hunting opportunities become restricted, and as a result, there is often a substantial increase in animals. If sufficient habitat, whether in the form of residential lots, agricultural fields or parks is available, deer populations thrive without natural predators or hunting to limit their numbers. Hunt Program Background and Operations: This annual program has been conducted at Spring Lake Regional Park for over 14 years. The program is managed by the Scott County Parks and Trails Department, through a partnership with the non-profit, volunteer organization, Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB). The hunt is operated according to state statue and requires authorization from the local jurisdiction (City of Prior Lake) through a council resolution permitting a 'special hunt'. Program rules are set by the Scott County Parks and Trails Department, i.e. hunt days, parking. The park is not posted as closed to visitors during the hunt. This is common practice among municipalities running white- tailed hunt programs. Deer population control is accomplished using expert volunteer archers who are required to be members of MBRB. MBRB organizes the archers, ensuring proper training and experience and choosing archers through a lottery system. These services are provided free of charge to the County. The cost of the program includes Scott County staff time and miscellaneous materials. Control of the animals occurs during predetermined hunting periods, each falling within the archery hunting season determined by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In recent years, four to nine animals has been killed per year during the hunt program. An aerial census of white-tailed deer is completed annually, when weather conditions allow, for the park and adjacent properties. Over the past 5 years, the census has documented 17 - 44 animals. In 2008,17 animals were observed within the park boundary and adjacent properties and in 2009,8 animals were observed. Hunt Area The hunt will take place within Spring Lake Regional Park and adjacent City of Prior Lake park land (see map). Hunt boundary is set 25 yards in from property boundaries of city and regional park land. Hunt Dates . September 25 -October 4 . October 22 through November 5 . November 27 through December 6 Security and Emergency Procedures City of Prior Lake Police Department and the County Sheriff's office are informed about and asked to consult on the program by County staff. The police department and sheriff's office are notified of hunt days, hunt boundaries and program contact information. MBRB archers participating in the hunt carry badges identifying them as program participants. They are trained on proper procedures in case of non-emergency security or safety situations and follow normal procedures in case of emergency (911). In the rare event a wounded animal leaves the park property, the archers are required to immediately contact local police (non-emergency phone number) and to track the animal in the company of local police or a conservation officer. Public Information and Notification Two to three weeks prior to and through the duration of the hunt, informational signs are posted throughout the park at key access points to inform visitors about the program. Notification letters are sent to property owners adjacent to the regional park and city park land. County staff and a representative from the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base typically participate in the City of Prior Lakes local cable program - Inside City Hall - in a feature on the hunt program. Metro Bowhunters Resource Base: Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) is a volunteer, non-profit bow hunting organization. The organization formed in 1995 for two primary reasons: to assist municipalities with the control of rapidly increasing urban deer numbers and dispel the general belief that relief from these issues could only occur through trap and kill, rifle sharp-shooting or controlled firearm hunts. MBRB organizes and provides expert volunteer archers to government agencies to assist in managing over-abundant deer populations. In order to hunt with MBRB, archers must fulfill the DNR's Bowhunter certification class and pass proficiency shooting tests. MBRB has a strict set of rules and has high standards for team work and hunting ethics. Through its partnership with MBRB, Scott County is ensured that only expert archers with the appropriate skills, behavior and safety awareness participate in the hunts. For membership or other information about MBRB MBRB Hotline: 651-895-7039 Website: http://www.strictlvbowhuntin\!.com/mbrb / - . - Email: mbrb@strictlvbowhuntin\!.com. 2 I Scott County Program Lead Administrative Support Parks Program Manager PROGRAM CONTACTS Patricia Freeman Senior Natural Resources Planner Andrea Bortness Mark Themig I Metro Bowhunters Resource Base Leader/Hunt Dan Christensen Coordinator Assistant Hunt Coordinator I City of Prior Lake City contact Steve Wood Frank Boy]es I Non-Emergency Police/Sheriff Prior Lake Police Chief Bill O'Rourke Department I Dispatch Conservation Officer Scott County Sheriffs Office 952-445-] 4 ] ] (24 hours) Adam Block Greg Mue]ken 3 Home: 612-587-4932 VVork: 952-496-8752 Cell: 6] 2-308-] 770 Email: pfreeman@co.scott.mn.us Work: 952-496-8334 Email: abortness@co.scott.mn.us Work: 952-496-8783 Emai]: mthemig@)co.scott.mn.us Home: 6 ]2-929-] 002 Work: 952-358-4675 Cell: 6] 2-670-0906 Emai]: christensen@visi.com Home:952-440-3657 Work: 952-887-8270 Cell: 6]2-247-3]67 Emai]: steve.wood@)ang]erinsider.com Work: (952) 447-980] Emai]: fboy]es@cityofpriorlake.com Work: 952-440-3555 Emai]: borourke@)cityofpriorlake.com Work: 952-873-6241 Work: 952-496-8134 Emai]: gmue]ken@)co.scott.mn.us