Roseville Council Discusses Controlled Deer Hunt

The Roseville City Council on Monday evening discussed whether the community should have a controlled deer hunt _ then postponed any action on the matter until next month,

The Council members' deer-related discussion during the four-hour meeting centered on an increase in wildlife population – mostly in the northeast quadrant of Roseville.

Lonnie Brokke, city parks and recreation director, told Council members the number of deer counted after fresh snow falls early this year totaled 50 – more than three times the 15 spotted in 2005.

Not all Council members were convinced that a controlled shoot by bow hunters and sharp-shooters is needed, especially after they heard that the program would cost about $200 for each deer shot.

“I don’t see that this rises to a significant level,” said Council member Tammy McGehee, who said that residents could install a variety of deer deterrents on their properties. 

Replied Council member Tammy Pust: “On behalf of the neighborhoods where all of (the deer) live, it is a problem. I’ve seen more than those numbers dead on the street in the past year.” Pust referred to the statistics presented to the Council and city officials by Brokke.

Council member Jeff Johnson contended that some city residents in Rosedale’s northeast corner attract the deer by feeding them. That prompted Council member Robert Willmus  to say, “At some point we will have to take a little more aggressive measures” against the deer.

The Council delayed action until June on the matter. The Council's discussion came after earlier this month, some residents from northern Roseville complained about deer grazing that damaged or destroyed shrubs and trees.