Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05(D) - Resolution Approving the Scott County Three Rivers Park District to Conduct the 2023 White-Tail Deer Management Hunt Program Report2024 White-Tailed Deer Archery Hunt Program Summary 1 SCOTT COUNTY/THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK 2024 WHITE-TAILED DEER ARCHERY HUNT PROGRAM SUMMARY August 14, 2024 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 in order to sustain the 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. In the future 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 20 years. The program is managed by the Scott County -Three Rivers Park District Partnership through a partnership with the non-profit, volunteer organization, Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB). The hunt is operated in collaboration with the City of Prior Lake and in accordance with state statue. The hunt requires authorization from the local jurisdiction (City of Prior Lake) through a council resolution permitting a ‘special hunt’. Program rules are set by Scott County – Three Rivers Park District with input from other stakeholders, such as the City. The park is not posted as closed to visitors during the hunt. This is common practice among municipalities and park agencies running white-tailed archery-hunt programs. Spring Lake Regional Park remained fully open for public use during the hunt periods last year which occurred after the park was developed with recreational amenities and the park will remain open in 2024. Examples of similar and smaller sized-regional parks in the Metro Area that remain open during archery hunts include Gale Woods Farm, Fish Lake, Eagle Lake, and French Regional Parks. Deer population control is accomplished using expert volunteer archers who are required to be members of MBRB. MBRB organizes the archers, ensuring proper 2024White-Tailed Deer Archery Hunt Program Summary 2 training and experience and choosing archers through a lottery system. These services are provided free of charge to the Park District. The cost of the program includes Scott County and Three Rivers Park District staff time and miscellaneous materials. Control of the animals occurs during predetermined hunting periods, each falling within the archery hunting season as determined by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In 2023, three animals have been killed per year during the hunt program. An aerial census of white-tailed deer is normally completed annually during the winter months, but was not conducted this past winter because of a lack of snow. The 2022-23 survey found 15 deer which was similar to previous surveys. Hunt Area The hunt will take place within Spring Lake Regional Park (see map). Hunt boundaries are set 25 yards in from adjoining properties. The hunt boundary at Spring Lake Regional Park is based on the location of amenities and anticipated use patterns to limit disruption of the hunt and to minimize the public’s exposure to the hunt program. The City of Prior Lake’s undeveloped park property located adjacent to the northwest corner of the regional park is not included in the hunt boundary this year. The 2012 development of the trail and off-leash area has further diminished the bow-hunting quality of this area that offered marginal success previously. We have added a new area adjacent to the northwest portion of the park. This is City of Prior Lake and the addition was approved by City staff. Hunt Dates There are two hunt periods, which will be Monday –Wednesday, scheduled for the 2024 hunt season: •October 7-9 •November 4-6 Security and Emergency Procedures City of Prior Lake Police Department and the County Sheriff’s office are made aware of 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 cards 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 and moves into a residential area the hunt coordinators contact local police (non-emergency phone number) and track the animal in the company of local police or a conservation officer. Public Information and Notification Two 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. 2024White-Tailed Deer Archery Hunt Program Summary 3 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 teamwork 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 Website: http://mbrb.org/mbrb/ Email: info@mbrb.org 2024White-Tailed Deer Archery Hunt Program Summary 4