Management efforts took place in three Roseville locations – Owasso Hills Park, Harriet Alexander Nature Center, and the Leaf Recycling Center – and were completed in one evening on January 31.

After removal, the USDA donated all meat to citizens in need around the metro area.

The goal of the plan is to bring the local deer population closer to the number recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) based on the amount of available habitat in Roseville.

Deer population concerns have been on the rise in Roseville for several years. The City of Roseville and Ramsey County have been completing aerial surveys of the City’s deer population since 2004, documenting the herd’s unchecked growth. In that time, the City has received an increasing number of safety complaints and reports of property and vehicle damage.

The USDA’s post-management report indicated high deer numbers in the city with significant activity observed at bait stations. The overall health of the local herd was judged to be less than healthy, with the deer possessing minimal body fat and 57 percent of the females having a single fetus or no fetus (a healthy adult female should be carrying two fawns). In addition, 20 percent of the deer showed signs of previous injuries, most consistent with vehicle collisions.

For more information on deer in Roseville, visit www.cityofroseville.com/Deer or call Parks Superintendent Jim Taylor at 651-792-7107.