Archers will once again conduct controlled deer hunts in Ramsey County this fall.

Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, working with the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base, will hold daylong hunts at 10 park and trail locations in October and November. Most hunts will be held Friday through Sunday, with select hunts to be held Monday through Wednesday to reduce the impact on weekend park and trail users.

Many of the locations are the same as those used in previous years. Tamarack Nature Center, located within Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park, returns to the list of locations after not being included in 2014. No hunt will be held this year in the Bald Eagle section of the park.

According to Ramsey County, hunt locations and dates are:

  • Otter Lake (Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park, White Bear Township)
    Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1
  • Poplar Lake Open Space (Shoreview/White Bear Township)
    Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1
  • Turtle Creek Open Space (Shoreview)
    Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1
  • Battle Creek Regional Park (St. Paul/Maplewood)
    Oct. 12-14 and Nov. 9-11
  • Fish Creek Open Space (Maplewood/St. Paul)
    Oct. 16-18 and Nov. 13-15
  • Snail Lake Marsh (Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park, Shoreview)
    Oct. 16-18 and Nov. 13-15
  • Pig's Eye (Battle Creek Regional Park, St. Paul)
    Oct. 16-18 and Nov. 13-15
  • Vadnais Lake (Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park, Vadnais Heights)
    Oct. 19-21 and Nov. 16-18
  • Rice Creek North Regional Trail (Shoreview)
    Oct. 19-21 and Nov. 16-18
  • Tamarack Nature Center (White Bear Township)
    Oct. 19-21 and Nov. 16-18

The parks, or portions of a park, could be closed during the hunt. The Battle Creek and Otter Lake off-leash dog areas will be closed during hunts; the Rice Creek North off-leash area is expected to remain open. Efforts will be made to keep most major paved hiking and biking trails open. Signs will be posted at common entry points to parks where hunts are being conducted, and park visitors are requested to stay out of these areas.

Archers have already been selected for 2015.

Visit the county's website for additional information.