More Than 150K Deer Harvested This Season
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota hunters harvested 151,400 deer so far, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The preliminary numbers, which were announced Wednesday, show an increase in the number of bucks with antlers harvested this year, but a decrease in the number of antlerless deer compared to last year.
They say there was 9 percent more antlered buck and 21 percent less antlerless deer in 2012.
The late 3B season in southeastern Minnesota will stay open through Sunday, Nov. 25.
"The increase in buck harvest and decrease in antlerless deer harvest is a reflection of slightly higher deer populations statewide, yet a more conservative harvest philosophy this year," said Lou Cornicelli, DNR wildlife research manager in a press release. "What drives total harvest is how we manage antlerless deer."
This year, DNR increased the number of lottery areas where hunters could only take an antlerless deer by permit.
