NE Minnesota deer permit area boundaries to change
Jun 25, 2017 07:54AM ● By Editor
From Sam Cook, The Duluth News Tribune - June 25, 2017
The boundaries of several deer permit areas in Northeastern Minnesota will change this fall, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced. The changes are being made to better define deer management and population goals within Minnesota's moose range.
Within the primary moose range, deer will be managed for lower densities as recommended by the 2014 deer population goal-setting public advisory committee and the 2011 moose management plan. Outside of primary moose range, deer will be managed for higher densities.
The lower deer density goals within the moose range are for two reasons: Moose range is less productive for deer due to tougher winters, and deer spread the disease called brainworm that kills moose but not deer. Lower deer numbers lead to less brainworm spreading from deer to moose, DNR wildlife biologists say.
The changes affect 2016 deer permit areas 122, 127, 176 and 180. For this fall, the permit areas will be numbered 130, 131, 132, 133 and 176.
Antlerless deer permit availability will generally be more liberal inside the moose range and more conservative outside, following severe winters. Deer populations will still go up and down depending on winter severity, biologists say.
The new boundaries will be shown on the pullout map in this fall's Hunting & Trapping Regulations Handbook and on the DNR website, mndnr.gov.
