Posted: 12/12/06
Antlerless deer harvest up
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The number of deer shot in the 3A hunting season in zone 346 and 349 appears to be up 15-18 percent over last year.
The numbers are preliminary, Minnesota DNR habitat specialist Don Ramsden emphasized in an interview with The Argus on December 4.
ìWe knew it would go up some because in 346 and 349, people were allowed to shoot up to five deer,î Ramsden said. ìWe knew it would go up and it did go up.î
The percent of bucks shot went down, which was exactly what the DNR and hunting groups wanted, Ramsden said. ìThatís a good sign in 3A.î
The 3A firearms seasons went from November 4 to November 10 in kill blocks 349 and 346, which cover Houston County. The 3B season went from November 18-26.
In general, deer herd managers are reducing the buck harvest and educating hunters to shoot more antlerless deer anad let smaller bucks go, Ramsden said.
About 13,500 deer were taken last year in Houston, Winona, and Fillmore Counties. As of December 4, about 14,000 deer had been harvested. That number will increase as more numbers come in from special hunts.
In the 3B season, the buck harvest is running at 25-26 percent, which is what the historical trend has been. ìWeíre shooting a few more antlerless deer,î Ramsden said.
A certain percentage of hunters want to see more and bigger bucks, Ramsden said. That is happening, just not as fast as everyone wants, he said.
The DNR wants to see deer numbers reduced in order to to reduce damage to crops and the natural plant community, Ramsden said.
Numbers will be analyzed this winter by DNR workers, Ramsden said. Harvest figures will have to go into the deer model to see what the population is. They will look at things like how many people shot five deer, what percentage shot three-plus deer. That will tell if issuing extra permits was good tool. You canít judge just by one year either, Ramsden said.
Ramsden, whose office is in Winona County, covers Houston, Fillmore, and Winona Counties.
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