Deer birth control program threatens bowhunting opportunities in Minnesota (12/23/2003)

A proposal to initiate a deer birth control program is being considered to reduce a growing deer herd in Minnesota. Such programs are on the rise and constitute a real threat to hunting - especially bowhunting.

A deer herd within the fenced property of the Minneapolis Water Works facility has become too large and is destroying the habitat. The numbers are so high that the deer must be fed to survive. Columbia Heights, the home of the water works plant, and Minneapolis are considering a deer birth control program and the use of sharpshooters to reduce the herd despite recommendations from a citizen's task force that bowhunters take the deer.

In 2000, Rutgers University reported that birth control projects are inefficient and expensive. State wildlife agency information reinforces those findings. Statistics show that treatments average $2,943 per deer.

Aside from the inflated cost, many of the projects do not work. Connecticut, Minnesota and Ohio all reported escalating deer numbers in targeted areas.

Another great concern is the safety of the birth control drugs. Regardless of their effectiveness, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them for human consumption and there have been no findings to ensure that other wildlife species are not adversely affected.

Hunters continue to provide a safe and effective population control for deer. Throughout the Minneapolis area, municipalities and parks use bowhunters to effectively manage wildlife. The same method should be used at the water works.

Take Action! Minneapolis sportsmen are encouraged to contact the mayors and city council members of Columbia Heights and Minneapolis. Let them know that birth control programs are expensive and ineffective. Ask that they follow the recommendation of the task force and allow bowhunters to cull the herd.

Columbia Heights City Hall
590 40th Ave NE
Columbia Heights, MN, 55421

• Mayor Julienne Wyckoff (763) 706-3607 x 1
• Robert "Bobby" Williams (763) 706-3611
• Bruce Nawrocki (763) 706-3611,
• Tammera Ericson (763) 706-3607 x 3
• Bruce Kelzenberg (763) 706-3607 x 4

Minneapolis City Hall
350 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
612-673-2100
612-673-2305 - fax

City Council Members

• Ward 1, Council Member Paul Ostrow (612) 673-2201
• Ward 2, Council Member Paul Zerby (612) 673-2202
• Ward 3 Council Member Don Samuels (612) 673-2203
• Ward 4, Council Member Barbara Johnson (612) 673-2204
• Ward 5, Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee (612) 673-2205
• Ward 6, Council Member Dean Zimmermann (612) 673-2206
• Ward 7, Council Member Lisa Goodman (612) 673-2207
• Ward 8, Council Member Robert Lilligren (612) 673-2208
• Ward 9, Council Member Gary Schiff (612) 673-2209
• Ward 10, Council Member Dan Niziolek (612) 673-2210
• Ward 11, Council Member Scott Benson (612) 673-2211
• Ward 12, Council Member Sandra Colvin Roy (612) 673-2212
• Ward 13, Council Member Barret Lane (612) 673-2213

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