Deer harvest numbers dipped 7 percent for the 2011 Minnesota whitetail deer season, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The DNR is acknowledging a general dissatisfaction among hunters in the perceived deer population and plan to develop a process to reassess the deer population goals.
2011 Harvest 192,300 (Firearm: 164,800; Muzzleloader: 20,200; Archery 7,300).
2012 Harvest 207,000
“The high winds hunters experienced opening weekend hindered deer activity and the associated harvest. Upwards of 50 percent of the annual deer harvest occurs during the opening weekend,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR wildlife research manager in a press release.
According to the DNR, deer densities have been significantly lowered by design, as hunting regulations were shaped to bring populations to goal levels. “DNR staff will examine population densities and trends in all permit areas and begin making adjustments in time for the 2012 season” according to the DNR release.
A DNR deer synopsis and regulations should come out in mid-July 2012. For the 2012 season, the deadline to apply for a lottery either-sex permit is Sept. 6.
By Matt Soberg
Copyright 2012 Backwoods Revolution
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