Animal Information

IGH PD responds to pet and domestic animal control complaints and issues. In general, the city does not respond to issues related to wild animals. 

For concerns about wild animals, please contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at 651-296-6157 for tips or help regarding problems with wildlife.

Found a dead animal on the side of the road? Contact the Public Works Streets Division at 651-450-4309.

Tips to Prevent Coyote Problems

Like many other suburbs, Inver Grove Heights has experienced coyote sightings and other related activity. Coyotes are scavengers and opportunistic hunters that will range wherever necessary to find food. They will eat many different types of animals, which may include domestic pets of various sizes. IGH PD encourages citizens to take these simple precautions to ensure the safety of their pets:

• Don't leave pet food or garbage outside.
• Don't intentionally feed coyotes.
• Don't leave dogs or cats outside unattended for long periods of time.
• Pets should be leashed and attended when walking in any recreational area.
• If confronted by a coyote, persons should shout or make some other loud noise to frighten the animal away.

Additional Information

• Per city ordinance, no citizen can discharge a firearm within city limits.
• Citizens should call 9-1-1 and report any aggressive coyote behavior.
• For more information about coyotes, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) coyote information web page.

Per city ordinance, no citizen can discharge a firearm within city limits, even for hunting purposes. Learn more below about the use of bow and arrow hunting in the city's limits.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website has additional information and resources for hunting in the state of Minnesota.

Bowhunting Information & Regulations

Registration 

All bowhunters (property owners and non-property owners) must register with the IGH PD. There is no cost. FORM A or FORM B must be submitted via email with to the IGH PD. 

To register, please complete either Form A or Form B form and send the completed form via email along with your hunting license, along with proof of proficiency* to bowhunter@ighmn.gov: 

• FORM A (fillable PDF) - For individuals hunting on their own property.
• FORM B (fillable PDF) -  Individuals who intend to hunt on property they do not own must complete this form and provide a copy of bowhunting proficiency*).
• Attach an electronic copy your 2021 hunting license to your email
• Attach an electronic copy of your proof of proficiency* documentation to your email. 
  • *Proof of proficiency: This is obtained at a local or regional archery range or outdoor sporting goods store. This is a measure of the individual's ability to shoot five of five arrows into a 4” target at 20 yards. The proficiency test must be completed every 24 months from the original certification date.

Hunting is not allowed on public land in Inver Grove Heights. Hunting is only allowed on private properties located in the permitted hunting area of the Bowhunting Map, so long as the property owners approve. 

Private Properties Excluded from Hunting: The City Clerk through the Police Department maintains a list of properties that do not allow hunting. The purpose of the list is to present an opportunity for an owner to make known that the owner has decided not to grant permission with the result that contacts with the owner are reduced or eliminated. 

If a property owner wishes to add or remove their property from the properties that do not allow hunting please contact the IGH PD at 651-450-2525 to have the list updated. 

• Bowhunting Prohibited Addresses

City Code: 5-6-1 Use of Firearms and Bows and Arrows.

Summarized Bowhunting Regulations

Hunting is not allowed within the follow areas of the city:

• 200 feet of driveways or 300 feet of structures by the person engaged in the shooting unless the owner of the driveway or structure consents in writing and provides such permission to the police department, to a lesser restriction
• Within 200 feet of any public street or private roadway is not allowed
• Within 300 feet of any residential or commercial structure.

Properties of 2.5 acres or greater: Hunting is limited to the owners of the parcel, the residents, and parents and children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters of the owners.

Propertied of 5 acres or greater or combined properties with contiguous parcels of 5 acres or greater: The residents of the parcel, the parents and children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters of owners or residents, and those receiving permission from all the owners may hunt.

On an individual parcel of 5 acres or more in size: The owners of the parcel, the residents of the parcel and the parents, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters of the owners or residents and those receiving permission from the owner may hunt.

Property Exception Requests

Property owners located outside the permitted bowhunting area may apply for a property exception for approval to hunt on the property for that year's fall hunting season. 

Questions? 

Please contact Commander Sean Folmar at: 651-450-2465.