Keith Lusher 11.18.25
Minnesota’s deer hunters are beginning the firearms season with spectacular numbers. Early stories from the Minnesota Division of Pure Sources (DNR) present that the Minnesota deer opener harvest totals are monitoring forward of latest years, setting the tone for what might be probably the greatest seasons in half a decade.
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“If my predictions maintain true, we’ll be 5 p.c or 10 p.c greater,” Burr mentioned. “It was chilly, however not too chilly and it was windy, however not too windy. I’m additionally glad the rain held off.”
License gross sales are additionally trending upward. As of late final week, the DNR had offered roughly 275,000 firearm licenses and 100,000 archery licenses, placing general participation 1 to 2 p.c above final 12 months. Burr mentioned that if the pattern continues, complete gross sales may once more high 400,000 licenses statewide.
Deer numbers are sturdy throughout most of Minnesota, particularly within the central and southeastern areas the place hunters reported the most important will increase. Within the southeast, the opening weekend harvest was up about 20 p.c over final 12 months, whereas the northeast, an space that has struggled with decrease deer density, noticed an estimated 10 p.c improve.
“The deer herd has benefited from back-to-back delicate winters,” Burr mentioned. “We’re seeing diminished winter mortality and a whole lot of fawns on the panorama. This 12 months’s bag limits mirror that.”
The DNR has responded by increasing bag limits in areas the place populations are above objectives, whereas sustaining tighter restrictions within the northeast, the place deep snow and thick forest proceed to restrict deer habitat
Minnesota’s archery season opened September 13 and runs by means of December 31. The statewide firearms season started November 8, with time limits various by allow space. Muzzleloader season runs from November 29 to December 14.
Hunters fascinated with monitoring progress all through the season can discover real-time and historic harvest knowledge on the DNR’s Deer Studies and Statistics web page, which incorporates an interactive map and graphs detailing regional harvest numbers.
With favorable climate, a wholesome deer inhabitants, and excessive participation, Burr mentioned the season is shaping as much as be one of many strongest in recent times. “Hunters are seeing deer, and that’s what it’s all about,” he mentioned.
