Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Ramsey County 2023 Cooperative Deer Management Plan
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Recommendation
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Approve the Ramsey County Cooperative Deer Management Plan for 2023
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Background and Rationale
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On December 14, 1999, by Resolution 99-500, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Cooperative Deer Management Plan. The cities of Saint Paul, Maplewood, Little Canada, Vadnais Heights, Shoreview, and White Bear Township are participants in the Cooperative Deer Management Plan that involves the removal of deer on Ramsey County properties.
The plan's management of deer populations in Ramsey County is through the use of archery and/ or sharp shooting, in cooperation with neighboring municipalities. Deer populations that exceed the carrying capacity of the land can be detrimental to the overall health of the herd and impact the public through increased car/ deer collisions and through the spread of deer ticks that may carry Lyme disease.
Ramsey County sets population goals of 15-20 deer per square mile of deer habitat, as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The deer population exceeds the overall goal of 15-20 per square mile of deer habitat in certain areas.
During the most recent survey, conducted in 2022, a total of 175 deer were observed within the survey boundaries. In the fall of 2022, 61 deer were harvested through the special archery hunts and an additional 20 deer were harvested through sharp shooting.
Based on the 2023 Program, the Parks and Recreation department, in cooperation with the affected municipalities, proposes conducting special archery hunts during the regular archery season, to run from October 6, 2023, to December 17, 2023, on seven county sites and two non-county sites. Participants for these hunts will be selected by the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base. It is anticipated that these special archery hunts will remove 47-69 deer. Sharpshooting might be proposed in areas with elevated populations. Parks and Recreation staff will continue to work with United States Department of Agriculture and local Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers to donate all future deer harvested through sharp shooting to those in need.
The Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the 2023 Cooperative Deer Management Program.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Many areas showing high density deer populations also represent some of Ramsey County’s most diverse communities, such as Battle Creek Regional Park. The removal will reduce herd stress, deer- car collisions and lower the potential for tick-borne illness within this area.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Deer Management Plan is a cooperative effort that involves the county and affected municipalities. In addition, the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission, a citizen advisory group appointed by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, annually reviews and offers input to the plan.
Through participation with Metro Bowhunters Resource Base, a non-profit organization that collaborates with residents to keep deer herds at sustainable levels, residents are empowered to care for Ramsey County natural resources and collaborate with their neighbors to maintain healthy deer herds. Any deer harvested by sharp shooting is donated to families in need.
The Parks & Recreation department maintains past and current data from the implementation of each year’s Cooperative Deer Management Plan on the Ramsey County Open Data portal bringing an informative and data driven story to residents. <https://data.ramseycounty.us/stories/s/64f4-mkvq>
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☒ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Costs to the county for this program include staff time for the deer counts, coordination of the management plan, rental of a helicopter for aerial counts, and $5,000 for the cost of the sharpshooter, if this management tool is required. Funding for these costs is included in the 2023 operating budget of the Parks and Recreation department.
Last Previous Action
On August 23, 2022, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the 2022 Cooperative Deer Management Program (Resolution 2022-197).
On December 14, 1999, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the first Cooperative Deer Management Plan and directed the Director of Parks and Recreation to present the specific deer management activities to the board prior to implementation (Resolution 99-500).
Attachments
1. 2023 Ramsey County Cooperative Deer Management Plan