Smaller racks, fewer deer predicted

[Lee Borgersen]

10/29/2011 5:57:00 PM  
Smaller racks, fewer deer predicted by DNR; Firearms season starts Nov. 5

  by Nick Wognum.........Ely Echo

The 2011 firearms deer season is now a week away with hunters making last minute preparations.

What awaits the orange-clad on Nov. 5? Fewer deer and bucks with smaller racks, thanks to a tough winter.

"We are at or below goal but I think the season will play out like 2009," said DNR area wildlife manager Tom Rusch.

"We weren't at rock bottom but it was after a rough winter and all we heard was wolves, wolves, wolves. My forecast is for a lower population. That's where we're at, we've had three out of four tougher winters and because of that it effects fawn crops and the next fawn crop is downsized. After four years you have less deer."

This year the DNR has addded a new designation, "Hunter's Choice," which most areas around Ely fall under. Permit areas 117, 118, 127 and 176 all fall under Hunter's Choice. Hunters can shoot either a buck or a doe with the new tag.

In addition to fewer deer, Rusch said rack size on bucks could be reduced as well.

"Racks are directly related to winter and winter severity. The first thing extra groceries go to is the rack, this year you're going to see racks that got shortchanged," said Rusch.

"This year the main beams will be not as long with less spread. There'll be basket racks and some bucks will look a year younger.

"And you won't see fat content on those because they're putting on body growth until they are four years old. This year there's a below normal potential for big racks because they've just gone through a pretty tough winter," said Rusch.

The DNR's switch to allowing hunters to register deer by phone or over the internet, instead of at registration stations, has made it difficult to compare harvest in specific areas.

"We cannot compare registration station to registration station from year to year, or DNR work area to work area, year to year," said Rusch. "At least until we get a few more years of new data. Then we can compare the years post-change."