HomeMy WebLinkAbout5H - Special Deer Hunt Resolution
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
August 21, 2006 ~
~~ank Boyles, City Manag~)1'
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL
DEER HUNT WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PRIOR
LAKE
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 eleven years, a special hunt has been conducted within Spring
lake Regional Park property. The City Council did not receive a request for
permission since the property was heretofore located in Spring lake
Township. A copy of the complete firearms chapter of the City Code is
attached.
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 16 - 30
· October 26 - November 12
· December 14 - 31 (except Christmas Day)
The hunt would take place within Spring lake Regional Park land and on the
thirty-nine acres purchased by the City. 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.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245
ISSUES:
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Archers are chosen through the lottery system and Ralph is not eligible. 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.
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 13 - 44. Special
hunts have reduced the herd by one to five animals yearly. 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.
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.
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
RESOLUTION 06-xx
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS, For the last eleven 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 16 - 30
· October 26 - November 12
· December 14 - 31 (except Christmas Day)
WHEREAS, Safety and communication procedures have been established and a method for
communication is in place.
NOW THEREFORE, 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 2006 Deer
Management Program Summary," dated August 14, 2006.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 21st DAY OF AUGUST, 2006.
YES
NO
Haugen
Dornbush
Erickson
LeMair
Millar
Haugen
Dornbush
Erickson
LeMair
Millar
Frank Boyles, City Manager
www.(jtyofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245
SUBSECTIONS
Police Regulations
SECTION 804
FIREARMS
804.100: DECLARATION OF POLICY
804,200: DEFINITIONS
804.300: REGULATIONS ADOPTED
804.400: DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS
804.500: SPECIAL HUNTS
804.600: PENALTY
lAMD. IN FULL BY ORD. 02-12, PUB. 7/20/02)
804.100:
804.200:
804.300:
DECLARATION OF POLICY: It is hereby found and declared that inasmuch as the
City of Prior Lake is a developing community wherein the land uses are becoming
more intense thus reducing the amount of open land available for the discharge of
firearms and dangerous weapons, and that discharge of firearms in such a
community is inconsistent with promoting and protecting the health, safety and
welfare of persons and property within the City, that it is necessary to limit the
discharge of firearms and dangerous weapons, except for special hunts as
authorized in this Section.
DEFINITIONS: The following terms shall have the following meanings for the
purposes of this ordinance:
Dangerous Weapon means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any
device designed as a weapon and capable of producing great bodily harm or death,
or any other device which, in the manner in which it is used or intended to be used,
is calculated or likely to produce great bodily harm or death.
Discharge of Firearms means any shooting whether it be for hunting game, target
practice or otherwise.
Shotgun Shotshell means a shell fired in a shotgun containing multiple shot.
Shotgun Slug means a shell fired in a shotgun containing one slug, ball or other
single projectile.
REGULATIONS ADOPTED: The City hereby adopts Minnesota Statutes Section
624.714 concerning carrying of weapons without a permit. The City further adopts
Minnesota Statutes Section 97 A pertaining to game and fish in the City and
Minnesota Statutes Section 978 pertaining to hunting.
City of Prior Lake
804/p1
804.400:
804.500:
804.501
804.502
804.600:
Police Regulations
DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS: Except as hereinafter provided in this Section, no
person shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol or firearm of any description within the
corporate limits of the City provided, however" that nothing in the Section shall be
construed to prohibit the possession of a firearm withh the home or the discharge
of the same when done in lawful defense of personal property or family.
No person shall at any time handle or discharge a firearm in a careless, reckless or
unlawful manner or in any way create a nuisance or endanger the Iif~ property or
safety of any other person.
SPECIAL HUNTS: 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 and 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 potential health, safety or general welfare
problems 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 land.
~
..~
ADDlications: Each application from a property owner requesting a special hunt
season shall specify the full name, residence address and telephone number of the
applicant, a description of the property where the special hunt would be held and
evidence of ownership, the type of animal or bird to b hunted and the reasons a
special hunt is being requested. Firearms for any hunt are limited to shotguns
loaded with shotgun shotshell or shotgun slug. No person shall make a false
statement in any application.
Fees: Each application shall be accompanied by payment of a fee as determined
by the City Council.
PENAL TV: Any person who violates provisions of this Section shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine or imprisonment in the
County consistent with the provisions set out in Minnesota Statutes for
misdemeanor violations.
(amd. in full by Ord. 02-12, pub. 7/20/02)
(This Space Intentionally Blank
For Future Amendments)
--=-
City of Prior Lake
804/p2
SCOTT COUNTY
SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK 2006 DEER MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM SUMMARY
8}llflDIo
Program Purpose:
The purpose of the Spring Lake Regional Park deer management program is to
control the whitetail deer population of the park for the purpose of sustaining
the ecological health of the park and to minimize human-deer conflicts on
adjacent properties and road-ways.
Program History and Operations:
This annual program has been conducted at Spring Lake Regional Park for over
11 years. (Previous to 2005, the program was overseen by the Three Rivers Park
District. Scott County is proceeding with the program, implementing it in much
the same manner as Three Rivers Park District.) Deer population control is
accomplished using expert volunteer archers, through a cooperative partnership
with the non-profit organization Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (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. The hunt is
operated according to state hunting statue, local ordinance (City of Prior Lake)
and additional local program rules as set by Scott County, i.e. hunt days,
parking.
In recent years, one to five animals has been killed per year during the hunt
program. An aerial census of whitetail deer is completed annually, when
weather conditions allow, for the park and adjacent properties. Over the past 5
years, the count has ranged from 13 - 44 animals. (In 2006, the aerial census was
not conducted due insufficient snow cover.)
The 2005 archery hunt was conducted in Spring Lake Regional Park and in the
newly acquired City of Prior Lake park land, which previously was a part of
Spring Lake Regional Park. For the 2006 program the County has proposed to
hold the hunt once again at the Regional Park and City park lands (see map).
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 the City and Regional Park.
1
811~ Dip.
Hunt Dates
. September 16 to October 1
. October 26 to November 16
. December 16 to 31 (with exception of Christmas Day)
Security and Emergency Procedures
City of Prior Lake Police Depa.L L.uent and the County Sheriff's office are
informed about the program by County staff. They are notified of hunt
days, hunt boundaries and program contact information.
MBRB archers participating in the hunt carry information badges
identifying them as valid 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 an animal that is not fatally wounded leaves park property, the
archers are trained to immediately notify Scott County program staff and
to track the animal. In this event, Scott County program. staff will notify
the Prior Lake Police Depa.LluLent and the Sheriff's Office.
Public Information and Notification
Informational signs will be posted throughout the park at key access
points to inform visitors about the hunt and hunt periods. Notification
letters will be sent to property owners adjacent to the Regional Park and
City park land.
Metro Bowhunters Resource Base:
Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) is a volunteer bowhunting
organization. The organization formed in 1995 for two primary reasons
which were 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 to pass proficiency shooting tests.
Through its partnership with MBRB, Scott County is ensured that only
expert archers with the appropriate skills and safety awareness participate
in the hunts.
2
spr~Lak.&R~Parkt "
.... . "..,
2006 Veer ffUt1.t Map fSrott
N
Boundaries. s.I1own are approxill'lBla. A
Map a'e81ea by Scou COLmly. N:alural Resources. .
' Augui4, 2006
SlRP Boundary
Prior Lake park land
2006 Hunt Boundary
Special Pflfmit Parking Site
2006 DEER MANAGEMENT - SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK
Pl~OGRAM CONTACTS
Updated August 14, 2006
I In Case of Emel'2ency
1911
I Non-Emerszency Conflicts
I City of Prior Lake Police I (952) 445-1411; 24 hours
Metro Metro Bowhunters
Resource Base (MBRB)
Dan Christensen, Hunt Work: (952) 417-5675
Coordinator Mobile: (612) 670-0906
Home: (612) 929-1002
Email: christensen@visi.com
Scott County Natural
Resources Department
Patricia Freeman Deer Program
Manager
Work: (952) 496-8752
Mobile: 612-308-1770
Email:.ofreeman@co.scott.mn.us
Home: (763) 587-4932
City of Prior Lake
Frank Boyles, City Manager
Work: (952) 447-9801
Email: tbov1es(a)citvoforiorlake.com
Prior Lake Police Chief
Bill O'Rourke
Work: (952) 440-3555 - day
Dispatch: (952) 445-1411; 24 hours
Em~il: borourke(a)~itvof1>rior1ake.co~
I Scott County Sheriff's Office TBD
Non-emergency Procedures:
1) In the event an archer has to track a wounded animal beyond park boundaries,
notify the following:
a. Prior Lake Police Department (non-emergency #)
b. Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (Dan Christensen)
c. Scott County Natural Resources (Patricia Freeman)
2) In case of conflict (with park visitors, archers or other) that elevates to beyond
normal discourse, contact the following:
a. Prior Lake Police Department (non-emergency #)
b. Scott County Natural Resources (Patricia Freeman)
c. Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (Dan Christensen)
3) For program inquiries, comments, etc...
a. Scott County Natural Resources (Patricia Freeman)
b. Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (Dan Christensen)