Parks commission recommends no deer hunt in Little Canada for 2026

The Little Canada Parks & Recreation Commission recommended against a deer hunt in 2026 after staff reported no resident complaints of deer-vehicle collisions and recent observations suggested the local deer population is at an acceptable level. At the June 4 meeting, Chair Mui introduced the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Gelderman and passed with a unanimous 8-0 vote.

Parks and Recreation Director Steve Anderson told commissioners that Ramsey County conducts aerial surveys used for population estimates but that the county has not completed a survey since 2023. Anderson noted that the city had no recent reports of deer-related accidents and that staff found the animals to be healthy; he also reviewed how deer control was handled in previous years. Metro Bowhunters reported nine deer taken through a 2022 program, and the commission noted the last deer-control activity in the city occurred in 2022.

Commissioners pressed for more frequent monitoring options: Commissioner Williams suggested community reporting (she said she saw 13 deer during one park visit), and others asked whether the city could use a drone survey or request Ramsey County schedule another aerial survey. Anderson said he would reach out to Ramsey County about future surveys and could add the item to the November agenda for a mid-season check-in.

The commission’s action is advisory: the recommendation rests on county data and staff observations, and any future control action would rely on further population information and applicable county or state procedures. The commission will revisit monitoring and timing at a later date.