HomeMy WebLinkAbout5F - Special Deer Hunt in Spring Lake Park
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
August 20, 2007
SF ~~
Frank Boyles, City Manag'er\
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.
History
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 twelve 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. Now, because the park is within the City limits and forty acres of
the property are owned by the City, the Council's approval is solicited.
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 15 through October 3
· October 26 - November 15
· December 15 - 31 with the exception of 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
Phone 952.447.9800 / 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 and their occupants.
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.
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 twelve 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 15 through October 3
· October 25 through November 15
· December 15 through 31 with the exception of 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 Hunt Program Summary (including hunt location map).
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 20th DAY OF AUGUST, 2007.
YES
NO
Haugen Haugen
Erickson Erickson
Hedberg Hedbera
leMair leMair
Millar Millar
Frank Boyles, City Manager
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
Spring Lake Regional Park
2007 Proposed Deer Hunt Location Ma
Boundaries shown are approximate.
Map created by Scott County Parks.
August 2007
j
Legend
CITY PARK
CREGIONAL PARK
/' // 2007 Hunt Boundary
Special Permit Parking Site
SCOTT COUNTY
SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK 2007 DEER MANAGEMENT
HUNT PROGRAM SUMMARY
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
ecological health of the park and to minimize human-deer conflicts on adjacent
properties and road-ways.
Hunt Program History and Operations:
This annual program has been conducted at Spring Lake Regional Park for over
12 years. (Previous to 2005, the program was overseen by the 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 seven 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 2007, 30 animals were
counted within the park boundary and adjacent properties.
The 2006 archery hunt was conducted in Spring Lake Regional Park and on an
adjacent 40 acres of City of Prior Lake parkland. For the 2007 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.
Hunt Dates
. September 15 to October 3
· October 25 to November 15
. December 15 to 31 (with exception of Chrishnas Day)
1
Security and Emergency Procedures
City of Prior Lake Police Department 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 Department and the Sheriff's Office.
Public Information and Notification
Informational signs are be posted throughout the park at key access points
to inform visitors about the hunt and hunt periods. Notification letters are
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 bow hunting
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