Hunters
can expect a conservative 2014 deer season designed to rebuild deer numbers
across much of the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.
“Hunters
should check the 2014 hunting regulations closely because only one deer can be
harvested in 95 percent of the state,” said Leslie McInenly, big game program
leader for the DNR. “To shoot a doe, hunters may have to apply for a permit in
areas where they haven’t in the past and, in some places, no antlerless harvest
will be allowed.”
In 69
of Minnesota’s 128 deer permit areas, hunters must be chosen in a lottery to
shoot an antlerless deer. Only bucks can be hunted in 14 areas. In 38 areas,
hunters have the choice of shooting a doe or a buck. Bonus permits allowing
hunters to shoot more than one deer may only be used in seven permit areas and
for some special hunts.
“Many
hunters voiced concerns about current deer densities and their hunting
experiences in recent years. We heard from hunters at the listening sessions we
conducted, in the online comments we solicited and by contacting us directly,”
McInenly said. “This past winter only added to those concerns so this year’s
conservative approach will protect more antlerless deer, reduce the statewide
harvest and allow the population to rebound.”
Northeastern
Minnesota hunters will feel the greatest impact from a bucks-only season. In
bucks-only areas, no antlerless deer may be harvested by any hunter, including
those with archery or youth licenses. McInenly said that most of these areas
are now below goal and that this year’s conservative approach is consistent
with the DNR’s long-term commitment to manage deer populations at established
goal levels.
Hunters
can enter the lottery for antlerless permits beginning Friday, Aug. 1. The
deadline to apply is Thursday, Sept. 4. Hunters may apply using both their
firearm and muzzleloader licenses. If hunters are selected for both licenses,
they must select the one season in which they want to shoot an antlerless deer.
Deer
hunting licenses, lottery applications and special hunt applications are
available at any DNR license agent, by telephone at 888-665-4236 or online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense. Lottery winners will be
notified in October.
Permit area breakdown
Bucks-only
deer areas in 2014 are deer permit areas 108, 117, 118, 119, 122, 126, 127,
169, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181 and 199.
Lottery
deer areas in 2014 are permit areas 101,
103, 105, 110, 111, 152, 155, 156, 159, 171, 172, 173, 179, 183, 184,
197, 203, 208, 213, 229, 234, 237, 238, 242, 246, 247, 250, 251, 252, 253, 258,
259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274,
275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 289, 290, 291,
294, 295, 296, 297, 298 and 299.
Hunter
choice deer areas in 2014 are permit areas 157, 201, 209, 210, 214, 215, 218,
219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 227, 230, 232, 233, 235, 236, 239, 240, 241, 248,
249, 254, 255, 256, 257, 292, 293, 338, 339, 341, 342, 344, 345, 347 and 348.
Managed
deer areas in 2014 are permit areas 114, 287 and 343.
Intensive
deer areas in 2014 are permit areas 182, 346 and 349.
The DNR
strongly advises hunters to review new deer hunting regulations, permit area
designations and boundary changes before applying. Current and up-to-date
information is available online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/deer. Information about deer
management and upcoming deer population goal setting during the next two years
is available at www.mndnr.gov/deer.
