DNR file photo A buck was photographed on a trail camera near Naytahwaush in Mahnomen County on Oct. 19, 20219. The firearms A season begins Saturday, Nov. 9. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us.

NEW ULM — DNR Southern Minnesota Regional Wildlife Manager Joe Stangel said area deer hunting has improved in the last decade.

“We’ve moved from a lottery-dominated hunt to more multiple deer limits due to improved habitat and mild winters. Most if not all of the crop is out this year. It should be a pretty decent hunt. The City of New Ulm hunt and permit areas around New Ulm all look pretty good,” said Stangel.

He urged hunters to be aware of Chronic Wasting Diseases (CWD) regulations and carcass restrictions.

“If you are not hunting in your area, go into any DNR office and get a kit. You may have to butcher some deer elsewhere. Plan ahead. That’s the main message,” Stangel said.

Hunters can harvest as many as three deer in many central Minnesota DPAs and as many as five deer in CWD management zones and the Twin Cities metro zone.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ wildlife staff report there should be good opportunities to harvest deer in most areas of Minnesota beginning Saturday. Nov. 9.

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

Deer hunters are required to have deer 1 year or older sampled for CWD in all CWD management and surveillance zones during the opening weekend of firearms A season Saturday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 10, and during late CWD hunts Friday Dec. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 22.

Deer populations continue to increase in southern Minnesota, and deer fared well over last year’s mild winter. Prolonged June floods during the fawning and fawn rearing season likely had a negligible effect on the population.

River floodplains offer some of the best deer habitat and deer hunting in southern areas of the state. Prior to flooding this year, there were several years without a major flood, and vegetation in these floodplains has grown to the point of offering excellent cover for deer, which bodes well for deer hunters.

Bluff lands that overlook floodplains offer oak and other sources of nuts and seeds that saw a moderate to excellent crop in 2024. Large areas of grass with embedded wetlands are also prime deer habitat. If water levels continue to fall, hunters will have easier access to this type of habitat.

Deer Permit Area 290, along the Minnesota River Valley northwest of New Ulm has growing acreages of Wildlife Management Area and Aquatic Management Area, offering some public hunting opportunties, Deer populations have been above goal for several years. The two-deer limit that has been in place recently will continue in 2024.

A deer feeding and attractant ban is in effort for Sibley County.

Deer Permit Area 291 that includes Nicollet, western Le Sueur, eastern Sibley and a small part of Brown and Blue Earth counties has diverse deer habitat in the Minnesota River Valley and Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area.

To maintain a stable population, the either-sex designation will remain in place for the 2024 season.

For more information, visit https://www.www.dnr.state.mn.us