1 deer state

[blabman]

The new deer regulations are out. Looks like for most of the state no doe permits will be issued. We will be pretty much a 1 deer harvest state this year.

[HD]

Guess, I should stop feeding them....cause now we are "hunters choice"

Yup, the DNR has some smart boys work'in fer them.....

[deadeye]

My area went from intensive (5 deer) for the past 5-6 years to ONE deer this year.  I agree 5 is way to many but gee whizz, how could it change so drastically in one year?

[dakids]

Zone 172, where I hunt, went from 2000 doe permits to 500.  I like the change.  At least the DNR appears to have listened. 

[whiteoakbuck]

My area went from intensive (5 deer) for the past 5-6 years to ONE deer this year.  I agree 5 is way to many but gee whizz, how could it change so drastically in one year?

yep I agree 100% and come next season there will be to many deer

[Boar]

257, been 1 deer for a while now used to be 5 then 3 then 2 now 1, weired how that came about, I aint college educated very well but even i saw that coming.

[beeker]

yup.. 156. just a mile north of 157 which seems to be one of the few rifle zones that are still open to either

[smsmith]

My area went from intensive (5 deer) for the past 5-6 years to ONE deer this year.  I agree 5 is way to many but gee whizz, how could it change so drastically in one year?

Gross mismanagement of our deer herd by the MN DNR...that's how.  It is time for an external audit of the MN DNR's deer management program, the science (or lack thereof) used, their estimating model and techniques, the fact there is no deer plan, the lack of model recalibration via aerial surveys (not used in northern MN due to tree cover), etc. etc. etc.

Contact your elected and let them know you would support such an external audit http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/

An audit like I mention is not designed to "punish" our DNR, but rather to assist them in finding discrepancies and to help them improve deer management.  It is a daunting task to manage the deer herd in a State as large and varied as MN, it is okay to bring in outside experts from time to time to make sure we are doing as well as we can.

[deadeye]

smsmith, 
I believe they do use aerial surveys to help recalibrate the deer density model.  I know they have flown a number of areas last winter. 

[smsmith]

smsmith, 
I believe they do use aerial surveys to help recalibrate the deer density model.  I know they have flown a number of areas last winter.

Last year's aerial surveys in central MN were the first done in about a decade.  Aerial surveys need to be done every 4-5 years to ensure the model they use is accurate...that directly from Marrett Grund head DNR number cruncher.