Rochester City Council May Approve Limited Urban Deer Hunt

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) -  The Rochester City Council is being asked to consider allowing limited deer hunting in selected city parks this fall.

The Rochester Parks and Recreation Department is bringing a proposal to the City Council this evening that calls for an urban deer archery hunt in the city park system from September 18 through December 31. The Rochester Archery Club has been working with the Parks Department on the proposal and has agreed to pilot and manage the controlled hunt.

The presentation to the City Council in support of the proposal cites an increase in deer conflicts and complaints from residents over the past few years. They include the destruction of natural habitat and damage to landscaping and trees, along with collisions with vehicles, the risk of the transmission of Lyme disease, and overpopulation in the deer herd. The presentation included a map showing there were 268 deer-related vehicle incidents in Rochester last year. It also states that reducing the deer population in the Rochester area is consistent with the Department of Natural Resources' goals and objectives.

Under the proposal, participants in the controlled archery deer hunt must be at least 18 years old, successfully complete Minnesota Bowhunter Education and pass a Rochester Archery Club bow hunting proficiency test. All hunters would be required to use a hunting stand at least 10 feet high to provide a safe shooting angle toward the ground. Hunters would also be prohibited from nocking any arrows before they are in their hunting stands, and no field dressing would be allowed.

The plan calls for the application. For hunting permits to open in early August. A random drawing would be held in mid-August to allocate the permits if demand exceeds supply.