The City's Public Works Committee approved a measure authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to harvest 100 deer during the 2016-17 season within city limits. If approved by the City Council, the deer will be harvested by certified shooters and the meat donated to Sportsmen Against Hunger and provided to people in need through coordination with Feeding South Dakota.
(City Photo)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/December 27, 2016
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE APPROVES DEER HARVEST PLAN FOR CITY
RAPID CITY--The City's Public Works Committee approved a measure Tuesday authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to harvest 100 deer during the 2016-17 season.
The measure goes before the full City Council Tuesday night. The Council is meeting Tuesday due to the closure of city offices on Monday due to the New Year's Day observance.
"The Deer Harvest Program will start in January upon Council approval," said Alex DeSmidt of the City's Parks and Recreation Department. "Last year, the harvest was completed within about a week."
This season's number is the same as last year's harvest and is based on the annual deer trend survey conducted by the Rapid City Parks Department. Based on the survey, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department recommended 100 deer be harvested in city limits. Both the City's Urban Wildlife Committee and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board concurred with the recommendation.
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.
The 100 deer will be harvested by certified shooters and the meat will be donated to Sportsmen Against Hunger and provided to people in need through coordination with Feeding South Dakota. Both Sportsmen Against Hunger and Black Hills Sportsmen donated $1,000 each towards the cost of the meat processing.
-30-
Thank you,
Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." >