Deer Population Looks Promising for Firearms Opener

With firearms deer season fast approaching, D-N-R wildlife managers report good opportunities for harvest in most areas.

Officials say in central Minnesota, deer populations are robust and above management goals.  Many permit areas are allowing hunters to harvest up to three deer, or up to five in chronic wasting disease zones.  In southern Minnesota, weather conditions had no impact on the deer herd overall and populations are strong.  In the northwest zone, deer numbers appear to be in good shape despite some weather mortality farther north.  But in northeast Minnesota, many permit areas are still struggling to recover deer numbers. The DNR says best opportunities will be in the southern part of the northeast region where the numbers are higher and populations were less affected by the winter