8/14/2007

DNR continues to seek input on farmland deer populations

Public input on the future of deer populations in the state's farmland zone will be collected through August in an online survey posted on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Web site. The survey is the final part of a statewide deer population goal-setting project that began in 2005. So far, DNR wildlife managers collected about 900 online comments on deer populations in the farmland zone. Previously, comments on deer populations were collected at public meetings.

"This is a convenient opportunity for individuals to express their opinion on deer numbers,"said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. "Their opinion really does matter. DNR has used this kind of input to change regulations in the past."

Earlier this year, DNR worked with stakeholder teams to help set the future direction on deer populations. The teams represented such interests as deer hunters, landowners, businesses, counties, and conservation/environmental groups. The teams met twice to recommend if deer populations should be increased, decreased, or stabilized for each of the farmland permit areas.

For the 2007 season, DNR has already begun adjusting regulations because of the goal-setting process, Cornicelli said.

"For example," said Cornicelli, "both the teams and public recommended deer reductions throughout many forest deer areas. Consequently, DNR instituted the early antlerless season in 22 deer areas to lower populations. Conversely, some deer areas went into the lottery or had lottery permits reduced in an attempt to stabilize or increase deer populations."

"Deer management today must take into account many social and biological factors," Cornicelli said. "This process goes a long way toward giving us some direction on where to take deer populations."

The survey may be accessed directly at www.dnr.state.mn.us.