Deer Hunting Success Down

Minnesota deer hunters harvested nearly 222,000 deer in 2008. This is a
decline of 38,000, or about 19 percent, from 2007, but the ninth
consecutive year the harvest has exceeded 200,000.
DNR Wildlife Section Chief Dennis Simon says, bad weather opening weekend, lower deer populations in many permit areas and more lottery areas all had a role in the lower harvest. Still, hunters found success and we were able to lower deer populations in some areas.
Overall, the statewide firearm harvest was down 15 percent from last
year. The archery harvest was down 7 percent and the muzzleloader
harvest down 25 percent.