MN DNR: Hunters Should See Plenty of Deer This Weekend

(KNSI) – Local wildlife officials say deer hunters in central Minnesota shouldn’t have any trouble finding deer this year. The 2021 Minnesota firearms deer hunting season begins Saturday.

Fred Bangtson is the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Area Wildlife Manager in Sauk Rapids for Stearns, Wright and Sherburne County and says the deer are abundant.

“We’re looking at a robust deer population in central Minnesota. Our deer herd has been slowly building for a number of years now and hunters can generally expect some really good prospects for this fall. So, this is going to be a good year for deer numbers. Last year was good. The year before that was good. So, I think hunters will be pretty satisfied in general with the number of deer they see and it should be a good experience for kids out there too.”

He says central Minnesota is well-above goal levels in nearly all of its deer permit areas, with many permit areas allowing a hunter to take up to three deer. Bangtson says the drought experienced in the region will make it easier for hunters to get around.

“It’ll probably help deer hunters access wetter areas that sometimes aren’t as available. So, we’re expecting that access to deer hunting areas will be better this year. That’s a plus for the hunters.”

The DNR says most of the crops in central Minnesota have been harvested, forcing more deer into the woods. Nearly half a million firearms deer hunters are expected to be out in the woods and fields this weekend.

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