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Anoka County authorizes limited archery permits to reduce deer overpopulation in five regional parks
Summary
The Anoka County Board unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-45 on June 9 authorizing limited 2026 Anoka County Archery Deer Hunting Permits in five regional parks after finding deer densities above the county's 15—20-per-square-mile management goal; a post-season analysis is required.
The Anoka County Board of Commissioners on June 9 unanimously approved Resolution 2026-45 authorizing the Parks Department to issue 2026 Anoka County Archery Deer Hunting Permits in designated areas of five regional parks to reduce an overabundant deer population.
Commissioner Julie Jeppson moved to approve the Transportation/Parks Committee recommendations, which included the resolution; Commissioner Jeff Reinert seconded the motion and it carried on a unanimous roll-call vote. Chair Scott Schulte presided over the meeting.
The resolution states that aerial survey indices and other deer-management variables show densities above the county management goal of 15 to 20 deer per square mile. It lists measured densities by park: greater than 31 deer/sq. mile in Bunker Hills Regional Park; greater than 19 deer/sq. mile in Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve; greater than 32 deer/sq. mile in Rum River Central Regional Park; greater than 38 deer/sq. mile in Lake George Regional Park; and greater than 48 deer/sq. mile in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.
The resolution "does hereby authorize the Parks Department to issue permits for archery deer hunting by state licensed hunters possessing a valid 2026 Anoka County Archery Deer Hunting Permit in designated areas of the parks." The permits are effective Oct. 24, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026, and are subject to restrictions specified by the county.
The board also directed the Parks Department to conduct a post-season analysis of the archery hunt's effect on deer population and provide that analysis to the Parks Committee after the permit sunset date and before the 2027 deer season. The resolution further requires that the county notify the cities of Andover, Coon Rapids, Blaine, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Ramsey, Oak Grove, and Centerville of the action and provide them a copy of the resolution.
The motion and resolution were recorded as part of the Transportation/Parks Committee consent recommendations and carried unanimously. The board made no additional changes to the resolution during the meeting.
