Deer are everywhere. They are beautiful or destructive, depending on what is growing (or was growing) on your property. To make cohabitation with humans less conflictive while keeping the herd healthy, the DNR and local cities recognize the need for management.
Minnesota’s White-tailed Deer Management Plan, is the DNR’s 10-year plan (2019-2028) aimed at managing deer populations throughout the state. This plan emphasizes factors like herd health and habitat quality while also acknowledging potential negative impacts of deer on public safety and communities. Source: MnDNR.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is more easily spread by feeding deer and using attractants. Feeding is now banned in 24 Minnesota counties, including: Beltrami, Carver, Cass, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Le Sueur, Mower, Norman, Olmsted, Polk, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Wabasha, Washington and Winona. Source: MnDNR
What does “management” mean locally?
Shorewood ordinance, City Code Chapter 704, bans feeding deer anywhere, any time in the city. In 2010-11 Shorewood implemented a deer “harvest” to complement the ordinance. The herd size is determined by aerial count and then the number of animals to be harvested is calculated. The harvest takes place on designated weekends in October and November, with owner permission, on specific properties. The hunters are trained sharpshooters from Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB).
Deephaven previously contracted with the Minnetonka Police Department and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for deer management services. They participated in a deer harvesting program, eliminating around 30 deer in Deephaven and Woodland. Minnetonka eliminated over 200 (time period not specified).
As of December 2022 (city council packet), Deephaven staff recommended cancelling the deer management program for the 2022-2023 season due to the need to find a new contractor who could perform the work safely and efficiently. The status of their current plan is uncertain based on the available information.
Greenwood City Code – Section 505.07, prohibits feeding or attracting deer. Violation may result in a citation or administrative fine. In Tonka Bay, Victoria and Chanhassen, deer-related management—including feeding bans and population efforts—is guided by the broader MnDNR deer management plan.
Though the management plans vary, it appears the ultimate goal is to find the balance between humans and deer, keeping both species safe and healthy.
