Deer program evaluated; deer plan on the horizon

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Deer program evaluated; deer plan on the horizon

During the 2015 legislative session, aspects of Minnesota’s deer management program were selected for evaluation through the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA). The evaluation was released on May 26 and can be accessed through the OLA website.

The DNR is in general agreement with the findings and recommendations of the evaluation and as recommended by the OLA, and DNR is developing the process for creating a statewide deer management plan, including a process to engage a broad array of the public to assist in the development of the plan.

The DNR believes the evaluation demonstrated that our deer management system is fundamentally sound. Furthermore, the evaluation stated that our harvest management actions appropriately aligned with the population goals set in 2012-2015. The DNR generally concurs with all the recommendations of the OLA evaluation, including the recommendation that the DNR continue revisiting population goals with its goal-setting process. The deer goal-setting process will continue following completion of the deer plan, as the deer plan may inform the goal-setting process.