Wildlife Management Plan Approved by Maple Grove City Council

A plan to manage the Maple Grove deer, goose and turkey population through hunting and removal recently received unanimous support from the Maple Grove City Council.

The Wildlife Management Plan for 2012 proposed archery hunts and police-supervised remoal “for the control of whitetail deer, and goose hunting as a means to help manage these species within the city,” according to a memo provided to the council from the Maple Grove Police Department. Added on to the plan for 2012 was the introduction of archery hunting of wild turkey.

The approval of the plan was part of an annual process to help curb the deer and geese population in Maple Grove. Within the plan, certain zones within the city are designated for archery hunting for deer and shotgun hunting for geese. People wanting to hunt in Maple Grove must get the necessary permission and permits outlined by the city as well as attend a Maple Grove Police Department hunter orientation course.

2011 Wildlife Report

Complaints in Maple Grove during 2011 mainly focused on “too many geese” around the city, including residential and park areas, according to the report presented to council. The report also stated car verses deer accidents in the city were higher than the prior four years – 61 vehicle verse deer accidents in 2011.

The 2011 controlled hunt yielded 25 deer and 363 geese in Maple Grove, according to the 2012 Wildlife Management Plan. Overall 78 deer were “eliminated” from the deer population in 2011 by either hunting or vehicle accidents.

“The fall of 2011 was a safe and successful season for hunters in Maple Grove,” according to the police department memo to the city council. “Our management practice of conducting organized and controlled hunts is helping maintain a level deer population. Without these practices, the herd numbers would be substantially higher, causing an increase of problems within the city, including car vs. deer accidents.”

2012 Wildlife Management Plan

The approved the 2012 Wildlife Management Plan at the Aug. 20, 2012 meeting includes, but is not limited to:

• Goose hunting by shotgun in select areas of the northwest portion of the city during the early, regular and late goose seasons.

• Goose hunts by Capable Partners on several acres of city owned land at the southwest corner of 101st Avenue and Interstate 94 Partners is an organization providing hunting, fishing and related opportunities for the physically challenged.

• Archery hunting season for deer by Capable Partners in city owned Svitaks Woods and a several acre city owned site at 16650 101st Avenue.

• Police supervised removal of deer as well as control measures recommended for and other Three Rivers Park property.

• Wild turkey archery hunting in designated areas, following hunt season and regulations.

For more details about the 2012 Wildlife Management Plan, including specific hunting zones and details about the hunts, check out the Aug. 20 Maple Grove City Council agenda by clicking here. 

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