DNR seeks input on deer population objectives for northwestern Minnesota
(2005-09-27)

How many deer should be on the landscape?

Residents of northwestern Minnesota will have an opportunity to express their views on that question at a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, at Northland Community and Technical College in room 201. The college is located at 1101 Highway One East in Thief River Falls.

This year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened discussions to help determine deer population objectives for northwestern Minnesota. Current deer population objectives (the number of deer per square mile in a given area) were set nearly 20 years ago.

"We would like to know how many deer people today are willing to accept on the landscape," said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. "Residential housing, land use, agricultural patterns and habitat have all changed significantly since we last evaluated deer population objectives."

Many factors affect deer populations in northwestern Minnesota. The DNR's primary tool in influencing deer populations is through issuing licenses for the fall deer hunting seasons.

Recently the DNR convened a group of stakeholders representing a variety of interests, including hunters, landowners and business owners, to help set a benchmark for deer population objectives in northwestern Minnesota.

The objective of the October meeting, said Cornicelli, is to outline the goal-setting process and present stakeholder recommendations to the public. At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees will be asked to complete a brief survey.

"At this meeting, we plan to focus solely on deer population objectives," Cornicelli said. "While alternative deer management strategies, quality deer management, and buck-to-doe ratios are of great interest to people, the intent of this meeting is to talk about how many deer should be in local populations."

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