Minnesota –-(Ammoland.com)- Comments on southeastern Minnesota deer population goals recommended by a citizen advisory team will be accepted Tuesday, April 8 2014, through Sunday, April 20 2014, on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website at www.mndnr.gov/deer.
“We’ve used a fairly extensive process to revisit deer population goals in southeastern Minnesota,” said Leslie McInenly, DNR big game program leader.
“To date, the public engagement process has included hunter and landowner surveys, public meetings and opt-in questionnaires, and most recently, the assistance of a citizen advisory team to review public input and provide recommendations for revised deer population goals.”
People serving on the 21-member advisory committee represented a cross-section of interests including archery, firearm and muzzleloader hunters; area residents and landowners; farmers, orchard owners and operators; land managers, local government staff and appointed officials; local business owners; and members of hunting, conservation and agricultural organizations.
Specific population goal recommendations for each of the nine deer hunting areas that comprise the goal-setting area of southeastern Minnesota will be posted online as well as the factors advisory team members cited when making recommendations. People should review this supporting information before submitting comments, which can be made online at www.mndnr.gov/deer or mailed to Leslie McInenly, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.
The DNR will evaluate advisory team recommendations and public comments on those recommendations before determining the final deer population goal for each hunting area. Once goals are established, the DNR will announce those goals and wildlife managers will implement harvest strategies to meet and maintain them.
More information on the process is available on the DNR’s deer management Web page at www.mndnr.gov/deer.