Those looking to have input on the area deer population goals have options but better gather your thoughts soon.
One option is an online questionnaire about deer populations in large portions of northeastern, north-central and east-central Minnesota, which can be completed on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) website at www.mndnr.gov/deer .
The questionnaire is part of the DNR's deer population goal-setting process, which is underway in 40 of Minnesota's 128 deer permit areas.
Citizen advisory teams for each of the five goal-setting blocks will consider and discuss questionnaire results when they meet this winter. Information from public meetings in each goal-setting block and written comments will also be factored in. Ultimately, each citizen team considers the social, economic and recreational contexts for a discussion of the permit areas' deer populations and develops goal recommendations.
People have until Thursday, Feb. 12, to complete the online questionnaire. Written comments can be mailed to: Attention: Deer Goal Setting, Minnesota DNR, Box 20, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. Comments may also be emailed to deergoals.dnr@state.mn.us .
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The DNR began revisiting deer population goals in 2012, when similar area teams helped set new goals for some permit areas in the Windom, Floodwood and Tower areas, and 2014 in southeastern Minnesota. The DNR plans to have new goals established in all of Minnesota's deer permit areas before the 2016 firearms deer season.
More information about the full goal-setting process is also available at www.mndnr.gov/deer .
Public meetings
For those looking to attend a local meeting, you are in luck as one is coming to Brainerd. All population goal-setting meetings will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. After a short presentation on deer populations and management, meeting participants may comment verbally, interact with DNR staff and complete a written questionnaire.
Block 3 - Pine Moraines
Thursday, Feb. 5: Century School Cafetorium, 501 Helton Ave., Park Rapids.
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Franklin Art Center Auditorium, 1001 Kingwood St., Brainerd.
