DNR: Increased 
kill indicates deer population recovering Dec 13, 2015 Success varied widely across Northeastern Minnesota during the state’s recent firearms deer hunt, but state wildlife officials say the increased deer kill indicates the deer population is beginning to rebound.
“Overall, people were happier than last year,” said Dave Olfelt, regional wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Grand Rapids. “The numbers were up in just about every permit area, but not all.”
Across Northeastern Minnesota in Series 100 permit areas, according to preliminary figures, the overall harvest was up about 11 percent, according to the DNR. The buck harvest, generally considered the most reliable population indicator, was up 18 percent across Series 100 units, according to the DNR. The firearms season ran from Nov. 7 to 22.
“I’m pleased,” said Craig Engwall, executive director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. “I think the numbers are solid and about where we had hoped.”
Northern Minnesota’s deer population has been recovering from recent severe winters and several years of more liberal harvest strategies.
“People ask, ‘Are you happy?’ No. We’re not where we want to be. But we’re encouraged,” said Tom Rusch, DNR area wildlife manager at Tower. “You don’t get there in one year.”
Deer registrations were up 19.4 percent in Rusch’s work area, and the buck kill was up nearly 17 percent, he said.
In the DNR’s Grand Rapids work area, Perry Loegering said the buck harvest generally was up from 10 to 20 percent, and as high 30 percent in permit area 169 north of Grand Rapids.
“It seemed like there were a fair number of mature bucks taken,” Loegering said. “(Some of) the bucks that were shot, they made it through the two tough winters and were still around.”
Good weather allowed hunters to remain in their stands longer than in some years, and that contributed to the increased harvest, officials said.
“I’m encouraged by the indicators of recovery,” Rusch said. “From what I’m hearing anecdotally, people are seeing more antlerless deer and we’re seeing improvement in the buck harvest, particularly yearling bucks, which is a sign of recovery.”
Rusch also is hearing from hunters in his work area who say an improvement over 2014’s very low deer harvest isn’t much to shout about.
“They’re right,” Rusch said. “With bucks-only regulations, hunter success ranges from 15 to 20 percent, depending on the permit area. That means only one in six or seven put venison in the freezer in 2015. That’s tough hunting. Barring an extreme winter, that will change next deer season.”
The mild start to this winter is a good thing, wildlife managers say. Deer are under little stress and are still feeding on green vegetation, though there is no guarantee of mild conditions the rest of the season.
“We’re well positioned to get the deer herd a lot healthier,” said MDHA’s Engwall.
The Legislative Auditor is preparing an audit evaluating the DNR’s management of deer statewide. That audit, requested by legislators, is due in coming months.
“Once we get the legislative audit, we can sit down with the DNR and look at a statewide deer management plan,” Engwall said.
Dec 13, 2015 Success varied widely across Northeastern Minnesota during the state’s recent firearms deer hunt, but state wildlife officials say the increased deer kill indicates the deer population is beginning to rebound.
“Overall, people were happier than last year,” said Dave Olfelt, regional wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Grand Rapids. “The numbers were up in just about every permit area, but not all.”
Across Northeastern Minnesota in Series 100 permit areas, according to preliminary figures, the overall harvest was up about 11 percent, according to the DNR. The buck harvest, generally considered the most reliable population indicator, was up 18 percent across Series 100 units, according to the DNR. The firearms season ran from Nov. 7 to 22.
“I’m pleased,” said Craig Engwall, executive director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. “I think the numbers are solid and about where we had hoped.”
Northern Minnesota’s deer population has been recovering from recent severe winters and several years of more liberal harvest strategies.
“People ask, ‘Are you happy?’ No. We’re not where we want to be. But we’re encouraged,” said Tom Rusch, DNR area wildlife manager at Tower. “You don’t get there in one year.”
Deer registrations were up 19.4 percent in Rusch’s work area, and the buck kill was up nearly 17 percent, he said.
In the DNR’s Grand Rapids work area, Perry Loegering said the buck harvest generally was up from 10 to 20 percent, and as high 30 percent in permit area 169 north of Grand Rapids.
“It seemed like there were a fair number of mature bucks taken,” Loegering said. “(Some of) the bucks that were shot, they made it through the two tough winters and were still around.”
Good weather allowed hunters to remain in their stands longer than in some years, and that contributed to the increased harvest, officials said.
“I’m encouraged by the indicators of recovery,” Rusch said. “From what I’m hearing anecdotally, people are seeing more antlerless deer and we’re seeing improvement in the buck harvest, particularly yearling bucks, which is a sign of recovery.”
Rusch also is hearing from hunters in his work area who say an improvement over 2014’s very low deer harvest isn’t much to shout about.
“They’re right,” Rusch said. “With bucks-only regulations, hunter success ranges from 15 to 20 percent, depending on the permit area. That means only one in six or seven put venison in the freezer in 2015. That’s tough hunting. Barring an extreme winter, that will change next deer season.”
The mild start to this winter is a good thing, wildlife managers say. Deer are under little stress and are still feeding on green vegetation, though there is no guarantee of mild conditions the rest of the season.
“We’re well positioned to get the deer herd a lot healthier,” said MDHA’s Engwall.
The Legislative Auditor is preparing an audit evaluating the DNR’s management of deer statewide. That audit, requested by legislators, is due in coming months.
“Once we get the legislative audit, we can sit down with the DNR and look at a statewide deer management plan,” Engwall said.
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