DNR Deer population goals

[Lee Borgersen]

         Minnesota Deer Notes - June 2015



2015 Deer population goals

The 2015 goal setting process is complete and new population goals will be announced for 40 deer permit areas through a DNR news release later today. As a result of the process, the agency will be implementing management to increase deer numbers in most of the 40 permit areas over the next 3 to 5 years. These goals largely reflect desires we heard during the process as well as through communication in recent years.

We received more than 1,700 comments during the process through online or written questionnaires, email or written communication, and/or participation and public meetings. In addition, 78 individuals from the community volunteered time as advisory team members for one of the five goal-setting blocks. Later this month we will post a summary of the public comment received, and provide a response to key themes identified in those comments.

A summary of the new goals is posted on our deer management page, www.mndnr.gov/deer. From the summary, there are links to detailed population goal documents by regional block as well as permit area-specific information.

Thank you to all who participated in this process.

2016 Deer population goal-setting postponed

We will be postponing the 2016 goal-setting process as we await the results of the legislative audit of Minnesota's deer population management. More information on that audit is available on the auditor's webpage, here. 

In the interim, and through a contract with the University of Minnesota, we are sending surveys to a random sample of hunters and landowners in permit areas that were slated for consideration in 2015-2016. Briefly, those areas are in north central, northwestern, western and south central Minnesota. If you receive one of these surveys, please do fill it out. Your response is important. The surveys include questions about deer population desires as well as other season-related issues. In the absence of the goal-setting process during 2016, information from these surveys will help inform our population management decisions for the 2016 deer season.

2015 Deer season

Now that new goals are in place, we are in the process of establishing the management strategies for the 2015 deer season. Research, program and field staff members have been discussing season options and the agency will soon be making decisions for each permit area. Based on goals for increases in the deer population, hunters in many areas can expect another fairly conservative season as we work to rebuild deer numbers. Stay tuned.the regulations will be available as usual in late-July.


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[deadeye]

One big factor is missing in all this fuss.  What the heck does "increase 50% or decrease 25%" mean when you have NO idea what the starting number is.  Population estimates range from 6-15 deer per square mile.  In the high case that would leave 30 dpm, which is way too many.  We need an accurate starting point before we go either way.