DNR Deer Management Plan

[Shoot2Kill]

And people could see more deer again, without it being way overpopulated like the early 2000s.

Somebody fill me in here, I did not live in MN in the early 2000s but I've talked to neighbors that talk about the population then. Who complained enough to get the DNR to open most areas up to shooting 5 a piece? Farmers, Insurance Companies? If it was too bad I could see the need for a reduction but maybe not as fast and drastic as what happened - too late though I guess.

IMO, in the lottery areas I'd like to see the harvest reduced to buck only until the population recovers. No need for arguing...it's just how I feel. There are definite holes in the population in parts of the state.

[creepworm]

The DNR realized that a population that large is not sustainable. A tough winter and so many deer would have died that it would be hard to see a deer. There is such a thing as too many deer, from a biological standpoint as well as a damage standpoint.

[BobT]

Quote:

IMO, in the lottery areas I'd like to see the harvest reduced to buck only until the population recovers. No need for arguing...it's just how I feel. There are definite holes in the population in parts of the state.

Regarding my last post, those deer numbers that my brother talked about is not around here in this management area. He is hunting, and I'll join him this coming weekend, up north around Mt. Iron in a lottery area. It sounds to me like the population has recovered just fine.

[HooknHorns]

Ive been in 347 since mid-80s and would see hundreds of deer in their wintering grounds. Then the DNR opened up a litte with a bonus for archery. After that it seemed like the CWD scare and everyone convinced we had way too many deer. Then the slaughter was on and yes I took part in killing my limit of five for a couple of years. Fast forward to last year, I bought the B season due to the amount of corn still standing during first season. I sat for a very long time a barely tagged a doe until the last minute. The numbers are way down from recent years but, with 347 being on the edge of bluff country its hard to say where the numbers are supposed be at. This season should give them a better idea. It would be nice to have two tags but its a good thing I have friends in other area to help fill the freezer. That way I can trophy hunt til I see the one I want or eat my tag.

[JIvers]

I hunt in 347; last year, due to there being about fifty billion acres of corn standing during first season, plus warm weather and a full moon the first part of the week, I didn't fill the second of my tags until the last day of the season, and I complained about it (off-line) quite a bit. That long season was due to weather, so it is not as if there was anything anyone could do about it.

This year, with 347 being a lottery area, I had one tag to fill, and I had it filled with a nice doe before my coffee got cold opening morning. And yeah, I complained about that a little bit too--but it's better than having to hunt this coming weekend.

But as I told some people I talked to, it was Back To The 1980s Night this year in 347, as back then when I started hunting one person-one deer was the rule, and there was no guarantee you would get an antlerless permit, either.

In the '80s, you had to ask yourself if you wanted to take a doe that presented an easy shot opening morning, or let her walk and wait for a buck. It had been a long time (fifteen years at least) since I faced that dilemma, but it was back this year.

Before this season, I wondered about whether I should pass an easy doe up; when I got that easy shot, I didn't even think about it, I just took it. Being done with my season, I then told some guys I know that they could hunt my family land...and of course one of them shot a nine-pointer that evening off of my stand. But, I have no one to blame for that, and my short season, but myself. I guess I just lack the self-control to pass on an easy doe.

[JIvers]

As far as the question of lottery areas, when I read this year's regulations it sounds to me like the question of what will be lottery areas, management areas, and intensive harvest areas will be decided on a year-to-year basis; I may be able to shoot two deer in 347 again next year, if that is the case.