REGIONAL— Deer hunters in northeastern Minnesota fared better than last year during opening weekend of the firearms deer season, but not by as much as many had expected.

Opening day weather probably had something to do with it. Snow showers and temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s were a significant departure from the balmy weather hunters experienced last year, and DNR officials note that hunter effort plays a big role in the overall harvest.

Local harvest numbers were not available as of the Timberjay’s Wednesday deadline.

“Apparently, with the big game program specialist now vacant there is a delay in getting the harvest data out,” said DNR Tower Area wildlife manager Tom Rusch.

Hunters in Zone 1, which covers northeastern Minnesota, registered 16 percent more deer in the first three days than last year, although that increase mostly reflects a higher harvest of antlerless deer.

Statewide, hunters registered 70,724 deer during the first two days of deer season, according to the DNR. Of the deer harvested, 57 percent were bucks, compared to 67 percent of the first weekend harvest of 2016.

While the harvest was higher in northeastern Minnesota, initial registrations in other parts of the state were down. In Zone 2, which covers the majority of the state and runs from Canada to Iowa, harvest was down five percent and in Zone 3, in southeastern Minnesota, was down 20 percent.

“We expected to see an increased harvest this year, and that appears to be so in Zone 1. In the other zones where the first weekend harvest is off, it could be that the amount of standing corn negatively affected deer harvest,” said Steve Merchant, wildlife populations and regulations manager. “If that is the case, we should see improved deer harvest as more corn is harvested.”

Based upon the number of antlerless permits available and the number of permit areas that allow multiple deer to be taken, the DNR is projecting the 2017 total deer harvest to be around 200,000. Hunters registered a total 173,213 deer in 2016.

In northeastern Minnesota, the regular firearms season continues through Sunday, Nov. 19. The muzzleloader season begins Saturday, Nov. 25, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 10.

More information on deer management can be found at mndnr.gov/deer.