Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is a University of Minnesota field station dedicated to scientific research on major ecological and environmental problems, and to training undergraduates, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. To protect ongoing research and to maintain Cedar Creek in as natural a state as possible, most of Cedar Creek’s forests, savannas and other ecosystems are closed to the public.
When the deer herd at Cedar Creek becomes excessively large, the Reserve hosts highly regulated hunts as a way to keep deer densities at ecologically appropriate levels. Because this is the sole purpose for deer hunts at Cedar Creek, generally only anterless deer can be hunted and taken, and only in specific hunts that are established and managed by Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. Depending on deer density and management goals, we may choose to offer an earn-a-buck format in some years. Because no firearms are allowed on any University of Minnesota site, all sanctioned deer hunts at Cedar Creek are archery-only.
Each spring, Cedar Creek staff and community partners spend time evaluating the size of the deer herd and results of the previous year’s hunts. Based on this information, we make a decision about what hunts, if any, might occur in the fall fall. Listed below are three types of archery hunts that have been offered in the recent past. All are subject to change, including the number of spaces available in any given hunt. The actions of all participating hunters directly impact the success of this management strategy and therefore the potential for any future hunts held at the reserve. Although herd reduction is the desired outcome of these hunts, safety is of utmost importance.
In 2024, Cedar Creek plans to offer three archery deer hunts:
- MN DNR Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program (October 2024): mentored fall deer hunt (archery only) for women participating in the DNR’s BOW program. No firearms of any type are allowed on-site. Contact Linda Bylander (linda.bylander@state.mn.us) at the MN DNR for more information.
- National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) program (October 2024): mentored fall deer hunt for youth. No firearms of any type are allowed on-site. Contact Jim Krueger (krue0043@umn.edu) for more information.
- Archery Lottery Hunt (November 2024): application-based fall archery deer hunt. 2024 application period will open on May 1st, 2024. Please note that these are highly restricted archery hunts that must obey permitted location, timing, take and other requirements. In most years, only anterless deer may be taken; when the deer density warrants, earn-a-buck options may also be made available. 2024 hunts will be earn-a-buck. Space is limited, with up to 30% of slots reserved for applicants who regularly volunteer in Cedar Creek’s other long-term land management programs. Remaining slots are assigned by the Associate Director based on information provided in the application materials: a random drawing will be used to choose experienced hunters from the pool of complete and approved applications, and hunting locations will also be assigned by a random draw. Safety and transparency are essential to a successful hunt.
Applications are due by August 15, and all applicants will be informed of their status (selected or not) by September 1st. A required non-refundable $15 application fee defrays administrative costs; an additional $60 hunting fee will be charged to hunters selected to participate.