Deer populations & goals

• About the goal-setting process
• 2020-2023 goal setting
• How to participate
• 2020 goal-setting information

• Historical goal-setting information
• Goal-setting resources

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

How to participate

Attend a workshop

The DNR is using a new workshop format that uses small group discussions to both scope issues and create recommendations. The workshops replace the citizen advisory committees and public meetings that were used during the last round of deer goal setting in 2017. Workshops for 2020 concluded in February, and workshops for the second group of goal blocks will begin early 2021. 

Each workshop is three hours in length and will be led by big game program staff. Regional and area wildlife managers will also be present.

Participants will work in small groups to identify key issues of interest and priorities to guide management of the deer population, using DNR information, including background information about the particular area; hunter and landowner survey results; and public input results. Workshop discussions will inform recommendations for the deer populations in those blocks.

Anyone may attend these workshops, regardless of affiliation or knowledge of the process. Background information will be provided.

Participation outside of workshops

Those who do not wish to participate in or cannot commit the time to the workshops can still participate in the goal-setting process. There will also be online comment opportunities supplementing the workshops, including an online survey (completed for 2020) and an opportunity for the public to comment on draft population goals (completed for 2020).

In addition, as in prior years, anyone can provide input by talking directly with area wildlife managers or participating in deer open houses.

2020 goal-setting information

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

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 109	A 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 → stabilize	A 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 participation opportunities

The workshops and February online public input form are complete; see details below.

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%

 

2020 workshop details

Agassiz-Littlefork goal block (DPAs 101, 103, 105, 108, 110, 111, 114)

Main location: International Falls (Rainy River Community College, 1501 US-71)

Directions to Rainy River Community College:

• From the east via Hwy 53: From Orr go north on Highway 53 for ~50 miles; turn left (west) on MN 332 for 3 miles; turn right (north) on US 71/State Hwy 11 for 2.6 miles, turn right to Rainy River Community College.
• From the southwest via Hwy 71:  Follow Hwy 71 north to the Junction of Hwy 11; follow US 71/ State Hwy 11, 9.4 miles, turn right to Rainy River Community College.

Satellite location: Warroad (DNR Warroad Area Office, 804 Cherne Dr. NW)

Time: 6-9 p.m.

• Workshop 1: Jan. 29 
• Workshop 2: Feb. 27

Northwest Parkland-Prairie goal block (DPAs 201, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 261, 263, 264, 267, 268)

Main location: Thief River Falls (Quality Inn, 1060 Hwy 32 S.) 

Time: 6-9 p.m.

• Workshop 1: Jan. 30
• Workshop 2: Feb. 26

West Central Prairie goal block (DPAs 262, 265, 266, 269, 270, 271, 272, 297)

Location: Moorhead (Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Oscar Bergos Center Northwest Room, 1900 28th Ave S.; enter through door W1 on the west side of the building)

Time: 6-9 p.m.

• Workshop 1: Jan. 21 
• Workshop 2: Feb. 24 

Central Hills Prairie goal block (DPAs 213, 214, 215, 218, 239, 240, 273, 276, 277)

Location: Alexandria (Alexandria Technical & Community College, auditorium and classroom, 410 18th Ave. Enter through the J door in the North 700 Building; you will walk through a hall to the South 700 Building. Campus map.)

Time: 6-9 p.m.

• Workshop 1: Jan. 22 
• Workshop 2: Feb. 25 

All blocks, metro-area satellite location

Location: St. Paul (DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road)

• Workshop 2: Feb. 26 

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%

Click to expand map

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.

• Established goals for southeastern Minnesota
• Summary of public comments received

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

 •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 9

2014-2015

 •Superior Uplands Arrowhead - Block 1
 •North Central Plains Moraines - Block 2
 •East Central Uplands - Block 4
 •Sand Plain-Big Woods - Block 5

2014

 •Pine Moraines - Block 3

2013

 •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.