Bemidji State University assistant professor of biology Dr. Jacob Haus and some of his students will soon conduct evening spotlight surveys of the city’s deer population.
According to a release from the city, these surveys will be in Ward 5, Ward 4 and the Bemidji Regional Airport area.
The activity is sanctioned while appearing to be unlawful “deer shining,” and residents are asked to refrain from calling law enforcement on the survey crew.
Residents are also urged not to approach the survey crew’s Bemidji State vehicle, which will have its hazard lights on, as law enforcement will be summoned immediately.
These surveys will be conducted from Oct. 18 through Oct. 27, starting at sunset and ending around 9 p.m.
The crew will complete four planned routes for each of the three survey areas and will record the number, age and gender of the deer seen, as well as the distance and habitat type where deer are observed to assess deer populations within the city.
1. Ward 5
• Northeast Lake Bemidji area generally bounded by Lake Avenue, Elliot Road, Tyler Avenue and MillStreet
2. Ward 4
• Includes areas generally bounded by 23rd Street NW, Washington Avenue S, Rako Street SW, 18th Street SW and Adams Ave SW
3. Bemidji Regional Airport
• Includes areas adjacent to Airport property, west of Cardinal Rd NW, and areas east of Airport property and west of Highway 71
