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Commission endorses 2026 archery deer harvest in Lake Elmo parks in coordination with Washington County
Summary
Washington County staff recommended an archery harvest to reduce deer impacts and vehicle collisions; the Parks Commission voted to recommend council approval of a 2026 archery deer harvest coordinated with the Metro Bow Hunters Resource Base and the county, with Sunfish Lake Park to be closed during the hunt.
The Lake Elmo Parks Commission voted July 20 to recommend that the city council approve a 2026 archery deer harvest at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Sunfish Lake Park in coordination with Washington County and the Metro Bow Hunters Resource Base (MBRB).
Dan McSwain, the county’s natural resource coordinator, told the commission that Minnesota DNR guidelines suggest a target range of 10–20 deer per square mile and that surveys this year used drones to improve accuracy. He summarized the 2021 archery harvest, which recorded 44 deer taken by 39 hunters with 64% antlerless, and said archery can still be effective if well organized.
Dan described protocols MBRB uses to minimize risk: required hunter orientation, strict stand and yardage policies, a roughly 300‑foot buffer in prior hunts, no crossbows, weather cancellation policies for safe tracking, and insurance coverage. He said MBRB also coordinated carcass testing (CWD) and community outreach in past efforts. Commissioners raised questions about neighbor complaints, closure notices and use of harvested meat for food‑shelf donations; Dan said MBRB has relationships to direct meat to people in need.
A commissioner moved that the commission recommend council approve the archery harvest; the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will include the commission’s recommendation when seeking council approval and the county will manage on‑the‑ground hunt logistics if council approves.
