In Lou I trust.....

I would think this is the case more than bad conservation.

That would be your first mistake! Kidding ... Actually, license sales are not down. This year (not including 3B because the sales aren't complete), 417K people bought an 'A' season license compared to 415K last year. Also, bonus permits numbers are up from 160K to 180K (which is the same number that was sold when the all-season license came with 2 tags). But (to all you revenue fans out there), total revenue is DOWN as a result of eliminating the all-season deer and multi-zone buck license. I've said all along we were making people buy a license they didn't need and the change would benefit hunters to the tune of a $1M+ reduction in revenue. Looks like that may be the case.

That's it so far ...

Will we see another spike in sales next week with guys buying their muzzle loader license???

I like the Ala-Carte approach because I do not bow hunt yet. I also have not bought my muzzle loader tag yet. So you can one more there.

Without a doubt. People always wait until the last minute. As of Thu, I think only 15K have bought one. My best guess with All-season included last year was about 35K muzzleloaders statewide. Heck, I haven't bought mine yet!

I'll be a last-minute muzzy buyer. I preferred the all-season tag.

What exactly is the DNR's goal for the deer population? I'd like to think that getting the entire state close to a managed area as possible. I see this as a good balance, enough deer to keep the hunters happy but not enough to cause any problems in each given area.

I think people get frustraited when they see wild swings from lotto to intensive harvest and back again.

Me too, but it makes more sense this way for the most part. A lot easier for Lou to know how many bowhunters, how many ML hunters, etc. I can also see guys not wanting to pay for the big license if they don't bowhunt. Now why they wouldn't want to bowhunt, that I can't really understand...

"DNR does an excellent job managing our resources."

Are you serious?

The MN DNR couldn't manage the titmouse population if they had a barrel full of cheese!

They pull these deer regulations out of their butt have no real idea of what is going on with local deer populations.

michael

mn_archer,
Personally, I think they are doing just fine. Maybe you just aren't the bow hunter you think you are.

I've killed a few deer this year, i'm just saying that in the area I mainly hunt (170) you are allowed one either sex deer and up to 4 bonus tags- Stinking stupid is what that is. If you don't think so asl the local CO!

It is feast ot famine with this state. Next hyear it will be a lotto for a doe tag! lol

I have hunted for deer and elk in several states and we are one of the few where you automatically get a buck tag but have to apply for doe tags.

MN DNR has only managed for numbers in the past and now they can't even do that right.

For my job i travel the entire state 5 days a week. There are very few deer on the roads compared to even last year.


michael

Maybe, just maybe the deer numbers have dwindled as a result of all the cougars the DNR has been releasing. Now I'm not saying, but a friend of my brother-in-law's cousin says that the whole purpose of the cougar-release program is to knock back the deer numbers.

Could it be that this secret program is working?

Cougar release program?

Where do people come up with this stuff?

Its in the Greenbush Gazette.