Deer registrations through midweek are running well below the levels of the past several years, despite some of the mildest weather to greet deer hunters in more than a decade.

As of Tuesday morning, registrations were off 21 percent in the Tower work area, which includes Ely, Babbitt, and Cook. Further north, registrations were off even more— down 36 percent in the International Falls area, which includes Orr and Lake Kabetogama.

The dip in registrations is hardly a surprise. DNR wildlife officials have been predicting a significantly lower harvest due to a 20-25 percent drop in the deer population generally and the reduction in available doe permits. While the antlerless harvest in the area topped the number of buck shot during the past three years, this year’s harvest is running 70 percent bucks, said Tower Area DNR Wildlife Manager Tom Rusch.

“There’s just reduced opportunity out there without the bonus and antlerless tags,” said Rusch.

Areas with the biggest declines in antlerless tags saw some of the largest drops in registrations. At the Lucky Seven in Ely, 163 deer were registered by Tuesday, barely half of the 313 registered during the same period last year.

The Country Store in Cook saw 225 registrations this year, compared to 408 following the opening weekend last year. And just 14 fewer bucks were registered at the Country Store this year over last, which means almost all the decline comes from the reduced harvest of antlerless deer.

That’s particularly true further north, where antlerless permits were cut significantly in some zones, particularly 107, where only 500 permits were available. At the Gateway Store, near Lake Kabetogama, just five antlerless deer were registered as of Tuesday morning, compared to 59 bucks. In past years, it’s been close to 50-50, according to store owner Phil Hart.

The slower harvest means most hunters will likely have to spend more time on the stand this year. “Patience is the key,” said Rusch, “since better than half don’t have an antlerless tag.”

Hunters have been aided in their efforts by unseasonably mild temperatures and relatively little precipitation. “Overall, the hunting conditions have been pretty decent,” Rusch said.

Despite the lower opening weekend registrations, many hunters report seeing plenty of deer sign, including the telltale rubs and scrapes that indicate the presence of bucks. “Overall, the field reports we’re getting suggest the rut is progressing,” said Rusch.

Hart said he’s heard mixed reports on the rut from hunters up his way. “Some say the rut has started, but others say they’re not seeing any sign of it,” he said.