NEW ULM — Deer populations are increasing in southern Minnesota because they fared well last winter, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“River floodplains offer some of the best deer habitat and deer hunting in southern areas of the state. Following several years without a major flood, vegetation has grown to offer excellent deer cover which bodes well for deer hunters,” reads the DNR field report.

The firearm deer hunt opens Saturday, Nov. 4 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 12. There’s a two-deer limit in Deer Permit Area 290 in and around New Ulm.

“I look around New Ulm and the Minnesota River Valley and see some of the best hunting habitat in Minnesota,” said DNR Southern Region Wildlife Manager Dave Trauba. “It’s a very healthy deer herd and it’s growing.”

New regulations are crossbows are allowing cross bows for all deer hunters with an archery license. Synthetic ground blinds on public lands are required to have blaze orange covering visible in all directions.

“Maybe crossbow hunting will get more people out in the field that haven’t done it for a few years,” Trauba said. “We look at this as a positive. We may see a few more deer taken during the archery season.”

Hunters will be asked whether they harvested deer with a crossbow or vertical bow when they register their deer.

Trauba said some deer hunters may still follow an old tradition of traveling hundreds of miles north to hunt, but they don’t have to.

“New Ulm is dead center for great hunting. We’ve got public land, Swan Lake nearby, and very liberal harvest opportunities,” he added.

New Ulm Running’s Sporting Good Manager Joe Moldaschel said the store has sold more than a dozen more crossbows so far this year compared to past years, due to crossbows being allowed for all deer hunters with an archery license.

Moldaschel said the store still has a few deer blinds in stock.

The DNR reports more than 400,000 deer hunters are preparing for the Nov. 4 opener offering the chance to spend time with friends and family outdoors, finding adventure and putting venison in the freezer.

Hunters should know the deer permit area (DPA) number for where they plan to hunt prior to buying a license and ensure they understand chronic wasting disease (CWD) regulations and sampling options in that area.

Hunters can find DPA details on the DNR make a plan for deer season webpage at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/make-your-deer-hunting-plan.html.

Trauba said there are no CWD issues in the New Ulm area.

The DNR increased the bag limit or lottery permits in 12 deer permit areas this year, 80 DPAs have the same designation as last year, and 38 DPAs have reduced bag limits or lottery permits.

The muzzleloader season is Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 10.