Lottery set for antlerless deer in permit area 183 - includes Carlton County

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Reduced deer counts mean that many deer hunters will see a change in

harvest regulations for the 2009 hunt, according to the Minnesota

Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Some areas, including Deer Permit

Area 183, which covers parts of Carlton and Pine counties, will have a

lottery for antlerless deer for the 2009 deer season.

The lottery is an effort to be more conservative with the harvest of

antlerless deer. Last spring the population estimate for permit area 183

was below the overall goal of 23 deer per square mile. That goal was

established after broad public input about four years ago. Because the

population estimate was below that goal, wildlife managers recommended

the lottery.

In addition, the deer harvest in permit area 183 was down 19.5 percent

last fall compared with 2007, said DNR Assistant Area Wildlife Manager

Dave Johnson. The overall success rate for hunters in permit area 183

was 43 percent in 2008.

Population estimates, harvest and harsher winter weather have all

contributed to recommendations for more conservative management of

antlerless deer.

In 2008, permit area 183 was a Managed Area, meaning hunters could

harvest one antlerless deer with their regular firearms license and a

second antlerless deer if they purchased a bonus permit.

This fall, permit area 183 will be a Lottery Area, which means firearms

and muzzleloader hunters are restricted to bucks only, unless they apply

for and receive an either-sex (antlerless) permit. For the 2009 season,

2,500 either-sex permits will be available through the lottery.

The lottery application deadline is Sept. 10. Lottery winners will

receive permits via mail. Hunters may apply for an either-sex permit

through any DNR Electronic License System agent, via the DNR Web site,

or by a toll free phone call to 1-888-665-4236.

Bonus permits cannot be used in lottery deer areas, regardless of

weapon type. Hunters who are unsuccessful in the lottery may only

harvest a legal buck throughout the season in lottery deer areas, or

they may take or a deer of either sex in any Managed Area or Intensive

Area. Archery hunters may take a deer of either sex in a Lottery Area

without applying in the lottery.

Tags: carlton county, sports, northland, outdoors, hunting