Bemidji Area deer population?

[Fishfanatic]

As a past resident of Bemidji, I used to see the numbers

of deer go up and down. I've been gone almost 2 years, but

I continue to hunt some state land just north of town.

I was hoping a couple 'Locals' would chime in and let me

know how the local deer herd is doing and what can be expected

come opener.

Thanks Phil

[InTheNorthwoods]

As a past resident of Bemidji, I used to see the numbers

of deer go up and down. I've been gone almost 2 years, but

I continue to hunt some state land just north of town.

I was hoping a couple 'Locals' would chime in and let me

know how the local deer herd is doing and what can be expected

come opener.

Thanks Phil

Depends where you are. There are always a fair number of deer around the Bemidji area, but the numbers are still no where near the level that they were 10 years ago. Last winter was kind to the deer, but liberal bag limits, new areas opened to hunting, a couple bad winters, and increasing predator numbers have kept the deer herd in check the past several years.

[Walleye_Tom]

With the mild winter the population seems to be up, based on the ones coming through my property on Blackduck Lake, and those alongside the road between Bemidji and Blackduck. Haven't come up empty in the last 19 years. Check this deer out http://minnesota-resort.com/2004%20Deer%202.htm

[laportian]

I've been going up 89 to duck hunt once a week or so and the numbers of deer seem to be fine up north of town. At about 5 in the morning the hiway has been lined with a lot of deer. As a matter of fact I have seen a few behemoth bucks just hanging in the ditch.

[NEUT6899]

How about south of Bemidji? Laporte area in the Paul Bunyan State Forest?

[mn_maverick66]

Not to stray away from the subject but how about just north of Blackduck. I wouyld think the last winter helped a lot.

[lungdeflator]

Theres a good amount of deer north of Bemidji, but the line seems to be at about shooks or kelliher, after that the population drops off. I dont know about south of town, but its fairly good all around town.

It will take more than that one mild winter to really see the population rebound. The population is definatly on the way back up, if youve been gone 2 years, it will probably be better than it was 2 years ago.