Photo: Acton Crawford via Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 16, 2024

While the 2023-24 winter was relatively mild, the deer population in northeast Minnesota continues to recover from the impacts of several severe winters in recent years. As a result, deer numbers remain low in many areas of the region. The MN DNR estimates the population will take several years to recover. 

The best hunting opportunities are expected in the southern portion of the northeast region, where deer populations are higher. The DNR advises hunters to scout for areas with mixed habitats of open fields and forests, as these areas tend to have higher concentrations of deer.

Due to low deer numbers in some areas, particularly in the far north portion of this region, restrictions on antlerless deer hunting and, in some cases, bucks-only hunting will be in place. These restrictions aim to help local deer populations recover and reach established population goals.

Despite a poor outlook for NE Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife staff reports that deer harvesting should be possible in most other areas of the state. Learn more here.

Mandatory CWD testing and carcass movement restrictions will be in effect in certain areas, including DPAs 604 and 679. Additionally, new mandatory CWD surveillance sampling will be implemented in DPAs 156, 173, 181, and 199 to gather information for a potential elk restoration project. Deer hunters are required to have deer 1 year or older sampled for CWD in all CWD management and surveillance zones during the opening weekend of the firearms A season, Saturday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, Nov. 10. Additional information about CWD requirements and sampling options can be found on the Minnesota DNR’s CWD webpage. 

Over 400,000 hunters are expected to head out the firearm season, which starts November 9. For information about permit areas, visit the DPA lookup tool.