Hunters take 14 percent more deer despite another 'conservative' season

Minnesota hunters had better luck in the woods this year than the Department of Natural Resources expected.

Through the third weekend of what officials billed as the second "conservative" season in a row, hunters took more than 145,000 deer. That's up nearly 14 percent from last year.

The normal firearm season has wrapped up, but wildlife populations manager Steve Merchant said the last weeks of muzzleloader and archery season will likely push the harvest past his most optimistic estimate of 155,000.

"I'm not worried that we've over-harvested," he said. "I think this is all good news that just indicates there are more deer out there."

Several aggressive hunting years and some harsh winters put Minnesota's deer herds at record lows. DNR officials responded in 2014 with the most conservative hunting regulations in two decades.

That included a one deer per hunter limit in about 95 percent of the state — a major change from past years when in many areas hunters could harvest up to five. Antlerless tags were hard or impossible to get.

This year was very nearly as conservative. Despite the tight regulations, more hunters registered bucks this year, which Merchant said means there's simply more deer in the woods.

While more deer made it through last year's season unscathed, a mild winter appears largely responsible for the recovery.

"Last winter was a good time to be a deer," Merchant said. "It's amazing what one mild year will do for the population."

As Minnesota's herds make a comeback, Merchant said, the DNR will ease off the deer-hunting brakes. Given the recent harvest numbers and this year's predicted mild winter, he said, hunters will likely be allowed to take more does next year.

"Of course, if it's a terrible winter," he said. "All bets are off."