Southern Minnesota v.s. Central Minnesota deer pop.

[erikwells]

I was an able body helper for a disabled hunter this morning and he has permission to hunt some private land by Cannon Falls (Goodhue County). He did not have the opportunity to take a shot this morning however we did see 3 deer. We checked trail cameras from last week and there were many deer on them in the past 7 days. Additionally he had not had the opportunity to do much scouting so I did my best after we sat this morning. I scouted a small wooded area and if I was not careful I would have had my boots caked in [PoorWordUsage]. Boy they moved from the field edges to the woods for sure. I hunt Northern Kandiyohi county and I think there is a decent population of deer where I hunt but nothing like what I saw this morning. I get it that some areas hold more deer than others but I was shocked today. Anyone else feel like there are more deer in the southern half of the state than central andnorthern? I know the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but I'd be interested to hear some opinions and experiences of others if you will share. And yes deep down I have a little bit or deer land envy.

[mntatonka]

For the most part, only the southeast has more deer than the north. The southwest is pretty barren when it comes to deer population, but there's also not the habitat for them since it's mostly fields. When you get into the central and northern areas you start to get large expanses of land with no people. So the deer are there, they just aren't seen as often like they are in the southeast.

Here's a map from 2011 that'll give you an idea of what parts of the state have the most deer. It's a DNR map, so take it how you will: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/deer_density_prefawn_2011.pdf

[jentz]

I grew up around Cannon falls.Prairie Island to be exact.Now I have a summer place by Atwater.Yes deer numbers are so much higher down cannonFalls way.Go south of there and they are higher.Nothern Kandi Co. up by CoRd 40 and north are higher than down by HWY12.I watched the herd diminish since 2004 when we'd see two heards of 20-28 deer each winter.Those two herds are now one herd of 10 last winter.They have fallen each year and yet doe permits are issued yet. I dont like the way the DNR is controling the open land herds! What can you do?I have replied to email forms they sent,Contacted them complained and they are yet decreasing in numbers.

Where out of Cannonfalls you got stands, The Cannon valley is great hunting if you have land or permission.Lots of high steep hills and deep valleys,its hard hunting for the abled body person.So is the Vermillion valley.but again land is hard to get access if you dont know someone.

[erikwells]

Jentz, I hunt private land a couple of miles south of county road 40. I believe the deer population around there is pretty decent. I however sat in stand last weekend for over 20 hours and did not see a deer. There was quite a bit of shooting going around me on Sunday. I believe that was a bit of an abberration however I only got back into the saddle deer hunting last year after a long sabbatical. My perspective needs a larger in the field sample size to have a worthy opinion yet. My friend has a sister that has land right next to the river. The deer actually use a bike path. Hilly as all get out. There is some public land there but from what I seen you would have to be part mountain goat to get on it. I do not have any private land permission in that area. I'm his helper from time to time and he has never had permission to hunt it until this year. I'm not sure why his sister changed her mind. She only gave him permission the Wednesday before the gun opener so he was only able to do a short scouting trip the eve before gun season opened. His scouting being limited by his being in a wheel chair as well. I moved his blind from the field to the edge of the woods being it appears the deer appear to be using the woods and are no longer feeling comfortable on the field edges. I'll be headed up to the lake this weekend to give it another try. I will only be able to sneak out Saturday and Sunday a.m. for a couple of hours a crack. Thats ok being 20+ hours was not effective last weekend. I love the Atwater area as I cut my teeth duck hunting and fishing in that area as a kid being I grew up in Willmar. Good luck Brother.

[laker1]

I think winterkill is very rare down south in Minnesota.

[FISHINGURU]

More food = More deer