RAPID CITY--The City Council approved a measure at its December 18 meeting authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to harvest 150 deer during the 2017-18 season.
This season's harvest number is up from the 100 deer harvested the last two seasons. The last time the harvest program reached 150 was in the 2014-15 season. The number is based on the annual Deer Trend Survey conducted in October by the Rapid City Parks Department. Based on the survey results, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department recommends 150 deer be harvested in the 2017-18 season.
The 150 deer will be harvested by certified shooters and the meat will be donated to Feeding South Dakota. Both Sportsmen Against Hunger and Black Hills Sportsmen donate $1,000 each towards the cost of the meat processing.
"The Deer Harvest Program is an opportunity to manage deer in the City limits at a safe and healthy level and the meat is donated to people in need," said Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Biegler.
Both the City's Urban Wildlife Committee and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board concurred with the recommendation. The deer will be harvested in January.
The purpose of the Rapid City Deer Management Program, which has been in effect since 1995, is to provide guidance to the Rapid City Mayor, Council, and staff, the Rapid City Urban Wildlife Committee, and involved stakeholders for the management of white-tailed and mule deer within the city limits of Rapid City. The Deer Management Program is an effort to foster healthy deer populations and to maximize aesthetic and recreational opportunities while minimizing negative impacts to private interests. The Deer Management Program addresses problems associated with an overabundance of deer within the established boundaries of Rapid City. Current problems include deer/vehicle collisions, landscape, garden and property damage, and public safety issues including aggressive encounters with deer.
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Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator
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