DNR releases deer population forecast

Minnesota's Firearm deer hunting season is less than two weeks away and the DNR is releasing its forecast that should tell you where the deer will be this November. Chad Butler has hunted all over the state of Minnesota, but he has his own idea of where in the state the bucks will be this year. "I'd say southeast for trophy bucks," Butler told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. "But, I think it's going to be good all over." DNR wildlife managers say Butler is exactly right."We're going to be able to issue extra permits in many areas of the state this year," said Dennis Simon, who studies deer population numbers for the Minnesota DNR. He said the recent mild winters, increased availability of food, and fewer hunters means there will be more deer this year than ever. Simon said that populations are so extreme in the far southeastern, northwestern and northeastern parts of the state, that some hunters may be allowed to bring home five deer each.

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