Goal setting for 2021 begins in February
The second year of goal setting focuses on on areas of southwest and northeast Minnesota. This year, participation will be virtual. Find more details below about how to get involved.
Take the deer populations and observations survey
Use this survey to provide your input on deer populations and observations from 2020, including experiences you had during the deer hunting season; issues related to damage deer might do to crops, landscaping or gardens; and other deer-related issues. This year, you can also provide input on several proposed deer permit area boundary changes. The DNR will use the feedback to shape regulations for the 2021 hunting season. The survey is open through Friday, Jan. 29.
- About the goal-setting process
- 2020-2023 goal setting
- How to participate
- 2020 goal-setting information
About the goal-setting process
The DNR sets deer population goals – how much of an increase or decrease is desired in a deer population in a particular deer permit area – as part of managing the state’s wild deer herd.
Deer population goals will be updated in 15 regional goal-setting blocks that are made of multiple deer permit areas. The population goals established in this process will provide direction for management over 10 years, with a midpoint review every five years.
2020-2023 goal setting
The DNR began its statewide goal-setting process in 2020. The process will take four years, with a separate group of blocks addressed annually.
Block groups
- First year of goal setting (2020)
The first year focuses on the following blocks in the northwestern and western parts of the state, which include the following deer permit areas:
- Agassiz-Littlefork goal block – 101, 103, 105, 108, 110, 111, 114
- Northwest Parkland-Prairie goal block – 201, 203, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 261, 263, 264, 267, 268
- West Central Prairie goal block – 262, 265, 266, 269, 270, 271, 272, 297
- Central Hills Prairie goal block – 213, 214, 215, 218, 239, 240, 273, 276, 277
- Second year of goal setting (2021)
- Minnesota River goal block – 274, 275, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 290
- South Central goal block – 230, 232, 233, 253, 254, 255, 291, 292, 293, 299
- Blufflands Plateau goal block – 234, 237, 238, 250, 252, 286, 288, 289, 294, 295, 296
- Border Uplands/St. Louis Moraines goal block – 119, 132, 171, 173, 176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 199
- Third year of goal setting (2022)
- Superior Uplands Arrowhead goal block – 117, 118, 126, 130, 131, 133, 180, 182
- North Central Plains Moraines goal block – 169, 172, 184, 197, 210, 298
- Pine Moraines goal block – 241, 246, 248, 251, 258, 259, 287
- Coteau-Plains goal block – 341, 342, 343, 344
- Fourth year of goal setting (2023)
- East Central Uplands goal block – 152, 155, 156, 157, 159, 183, 221, 222, 225, 249
- Sand Plain/Big Woods goal block – 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 227, 229, 235, 236, 285, 338, 339
How to participate
Give your input virtually
The DNR will gather feedback from the public using its community engagement tool, in two separate phases. Check this page during the following timeframes to participate.
- Public input (Feb. 8-28): Look at contextual data and provide recommendations on whether the population should increase, decrease or stay the same; share your thoughts on what the most important topics are in your DPA; show your DPA on a map; support and review other peoples ideas; and ask DNR staff questions about local deer management.
- Public comment (March 15-26): Read the proposed recommendations, created from from a combination of data analysis, public input and agency leadership, and give your feedback.
Anyone may attend these workshops, regardless of affiliation or knowledge of the process. Background information will be provided.
As in prior years, anyone can provide input by talking directly with area wildlife managers or participating in deer open houses.
Prior years' results
- First year (2020)
The first year focused on the following blocks in the northwestern and western parts of the state, which include the following deer permit areas:
- Agassiz-Littlefork goal block – 101, 103, 105, 108, 110, 111, 114
- Northwest Parkland-Prairie goal block – 201, 203, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 261, 263, 264, 267, 268
- West Central Prairie goal block – 262, 265, 266, 269, 270, 271, 272, 297
- Central Hills Prairie goal block – 213, 214, 215, 218, 239, 240, 273, 276, 277
Final population goals
Based on information and feedback gathered from survey respondents, online comments, in-person meetings, workshops and conversations with area wildlife managers, the population goals for 2020 through 2030 for these blocks are:
- Agassiz-Littlefork goal block
Deer permit area Goal Notes 101 ↗ increase slightly (25%) Former management zone for bovine tuberculosis, past management aimed to keep deer populations low. This management response is now concluded and slight increases are desired. 103 *boundary change pending
↑ increase significantly (100%)A boundary change is proposed to accommodate vastly different deer populations in the northern vs. southern portions of former DPA 103. Very low deer densities exist here and are well below socially acceptable levels. 105 → stabilize This area is dominated by agricultural habitat and can support higher deer populations than other DPAs in this block. Crop damage can be an issue, so maintaining current numbers without increasing population is goal. 108 *boundary change pending
→ stabilize in new DPA 107
↑ increase significantly (100%) in new DPA 109A boundary change is proposed to accommodate vastly different deer populations in the northern and southern portions of former DPA 108. Higher deer populations exist in the northern portion and can result in localized damage issues, management will aim to stabilize this population. Management will be aimed to grow the much lower deer population in the southern portion, which is well below public desires. 110 ↗ increase slightly (25%) Moderate deer habitat and deer numbers in this permit area, light hunting pressure, management will aim to slightly increase numbers. 111 ↑ increase significantly (100%) Very low deer numbers well below social acceptance. 114 ↑ increase significantly (50%) The Northwest Angle, very low hunter numbers and harvest in this isolated DPA. - Northwest Parkland-Prairie goal block
Deer permit area Goal Notes 201 → stabilize This is a small permit area with limited access to public land. Goal will be to maintain current deer numbers. 203 ↗ increase slightly (25%) This permit area is almost entirely public land. Population was reduced during the bovine tuberculosis response, which is now concluded. 208 → stabilize This permit area is dominated by agricultural land, and thus crop damage is a consideration. Current numbers seem to be about right, and management will aim to stabilize population. 209 → stabilize Hunter success rates are high in this permit area, goal will be to maintain current numbers. 256 → stabilize
Deer habitat in this permit area has decreased in recent years. 257 → stabilize Crop damage can be an issue in this permit area. 260 *boundary change pending
→ stabilizeA boundary change is recommended to address issues along the northeast border with DPA 263 and will allow for more targeted management. This area is dominated by agriculture with little public hunting land. 261 ↘ slight decrease (25%) This permit area is dominated by agricultural land. Hunter numbers are very low but success rates are high, indicating a growing deer population. 263 *boundary change pending
↗ increase slightly (25%)A boundary change is recommended to address issues along southwest border with DPA 260. This permit area provides abundant deer habitat and public hunting ground. 264 → stabilize Abundant habitat in this deer permit area with moderate amount of public hunting access. 267 → stabilize Lower deer densities in this permit area reflect limited habitat. 268 → stabilize This permit area supports good amounts of public land and deer habitat. - West Central Prairie goal block
Deer permit area Goal Notes 262 → stabilize This permit area is dominated by agricultural land with limited deer habitat. Localized deer damage issues exist, but deer densities are low. 265 ↘ slight decrease (25%) Deer numbers here are higher than surrounding area and are increasing. Some damage issues exist, so a slight decrease is warranted. 266 → stabilize Deer habitat has decreased in recent years with loss of CRP land. Deer numbers are moderate and increasing, stabilization preferred. 269 ↗ increase slightly (25%) This permit area is dominated by agricultural land with limited deer habitat. Localized deer damage issues exist, but deer densities, hunter numbers, and success rates are low. 270 ↗ increase slightly (25%) This permit area is dominated by agricultural land with limited deer habitat. Localized deer damage issues exist, but deer densities, hunter numbers, and success rates are low. 271 ↘ slight decrease (25%) High deer numbers at wintering areas create damage issues. 272 ↗ increase slightly (25%) This permit area is dominated by agricultural land with limited deer habitat. Hunter numbers and success rates are low, management will aim at slightly increasing the population. 297 ↑ increase significantly (50%) Heavy hunting pressure in this permit area, but habitat can support higher deer numbers. - Central Hills Prairie goal block
Deer permit area Goal Notes 213 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases. 214 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases. 215 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases. 218 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases. 239 → stabilize Good habitat in this permit area exists to accommodate deer populations, fewer crop damage complaints compared to surrounding areas, so goal will be to maintain current numbers. 240 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases. 273 ↗ increase slightly (25%) Lower deer densities here compared to surrounding areas, good habitat exists, so goal will be to slightly increase population. 276 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases. 277 ↘ decrease slightly (25%) Deer numbers are high in this permit area and increasing, resulting in increasing crop damage complaints. Hunters prefer to maintain high deer numbers while agricultural landowners prefer significant decreases.
2020 workshops summary
Summary: Key issues of interest and priorities to guide deer population management that were discussed during the deer goal-setting workshops listed above. During workshop 1, members of the public had an opportunity to discuss the following topics in small groups, with DNR staff present to answer questions and take notes.
2020 online public input summary
Feedback on deer population goals was gathered through the online deer populations and goals form during February 2020.
Table 1: Respondents' average desired change in the deer population
The table shows public input results of the mean desired change in the deer population by goal-setting block by all respondents. It also indicates the mean desired changes broken down by non-landowner and landowner status.
BLOCK NAME NO. OF RESPONDENTS MIN. DESIRED CHANGE MAX. DESIRED CHANGE NON-LANDOWNERS LANDOWNERS ALL RESPONDENTS Agassiz-Littlefork 162 -50% +500% +52.9% +40.6% +44.9% Northwest Parkland-Prairie 136 -75% +100% +17.3% +12.0% +14.1% West Central Prairie 48 -50% +175% +19.7% +13.3% +16.9% Central Hills Prairie 316 -75% +1000% +20.4% +4.2% +8.9%
Historical goal-setting information
- 2015 goals
Goals listed below reflect the desired change in deer population from 2014 levels. Click the block heading or permit area for more information. Additional resources related to goal setting are listed after the goal listings.
Goal-Setting Block 1
Area Goal 117 Stabilize 122 ↑ 25% 126 ↑ 25% 127 Stabilize 180 ↑ 25% Goal-Setting Block 2
Area Goal 169 ↑ 50% 172 ↑ 25% 184 ↑ 50% 197 ↑ 50% 210 ↑ 50% 298 ↑ 50% Goal-Setting Block 3
Area Goal 241 Stabilize 242 ↑ 25% 246 ↑ 25% 248 ↑ 25% 251 ↑ 25% * 258 ↑ 25% 259 ↑ 25% 287 Stabilize * Communicate desired goal to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuge managers Goal-Setting Block 4
Area Goal 152 ↑ 50% 155 ↑ 25% 156 ↑ 50% 157 ↑ 25% 159 ↑ 50% 183 ↑ 50% 221 ↑ 50% 222 ↑ 50% 225 ↑ 25% 247 Stabilize 249 ↑ 50% * Communicate desired goal to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuge managers Goal-Setting Block 5
Area Goal 219 ↑ 25% 223 ↑ 25% 224 ↑ 50% * 227 Stabilize 229 ↑ 25% 235 ↑ 25% 236 ↑ 25% 285 ↑ 25% 338 ↑ 25% 339 ↑ 25% - 2014 goals
2014 goal setting
More deer in much of southeastern Minnesota is the anticipated outcome of a citizen-led deer population goal-setting process that increases deer numbers in five of the nine permit areas under review. DNR increased goal densities in deer permit areas 341, 342, 345, 347 and 348. Permit areas 343, 346 and 349 will maintain existing goal densities. Whitewater Wildlife Management Area, permit area 344, will maintain current densities.
Goal-setting resources
Attitude survey reports
- Agassiz-Littlefork – Block 6
- Northwest Parkland-Prairie – Block 7
- West Central Prairie – Block 8
- Central Hills Prairie – Block 9
- Minnesota River – Block 10
- South Central – Block 11
- Blufflands Plateau – Block 13
- Border Uplands/St. Louis Moraines – Block 14

•G3 survey conducted summer 2014
•G1, G2, G4, G5 surveys conducted fall-winter 2014-2015
•G7, G8, G9 surveys conducted fall-winter 2015-2016
Hunter and landowner survey results
Reports include information about hunter satisfaction
•Full report (includes all blocks from all years)2015-2016
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 7
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 8
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 92014-2015
•Superior Uplands Arrowhead - Block 1
•North Central Plains Moraines - Block 2
•East Central Uplands - Block 4
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 52014
•Pine Moraines - Block 32013
•Southeastern Minnesota landowner survey
•Southeastern Minnesota deer hunter survey
Background information
•Superior Uplands Arrowhead - Block 1
•North Central Plains Moraines - Block 2
•Pine Moraines - Block 3
•East Central Uplands - Block 4
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 5
Advisory team recommendation
•Superior Uplands Arrowhead - Block 1
•North Central Plains Moraines - Block 2
•Pine Moraines - Block 3
•East Central Uplands - Block 4
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 5
Final 2015 deer goal setting reports
•Superior Uplands Arrowhead - Block 1
•North Central Plains Moraines - Block 2
•Pine Moraines - Block 3
•East Central Uplands - Block 4
•Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 5
2014 deer harvest report
Public comments & response
A complete summary of DNR response to public comments.