Outdoor News Daily

Deer hunters who use a firearm or muzzleloader in a lottery area and want to harvest an antlerless deer must apply for an either-sex permit by the Thursday, Sept. 9, deadline established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Nearly half of Minnesota’s deer permit areas now are lottery areas. They include deer permit areas 103, 108, 118, 119, 127, 152, 155, 169, 171, 172, 173, 176, 183, 184, 197, 218, 219, 223, 224, 229, 230, 235, 238, 246, 247, 250, 251, 252, 253, 255, 258, 259, 262, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 283, 285, 289, 290, 291, 294, 295, 296, 299, 338A, 338B, 347A, 347B.

“Annually we estimate deer numbers using a population model that considers harvest and over-winter survival,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. “We then use that information to determine which areas would be designated as lottery.”

In lottery deer areas, firearms and muzzleloader hunters may only harvest a buck unless they apply for and receive an either-sex permit, which allows them to harvest an antlerless deer. For 2010, all firearm and muzzleloader hunters must apply if they want to take an either-sex deer. Successful applicants will be able to take an antlerless deer in that area only during the season listed on the application.

“For example, if you apply for the permit for the muzzleloader season, it’s not valid during firearms season,” Cornicelli said.

This year, hunters are able to apply for one firearm and one muzzleloader permit. However, a hunter cannot take more than one deer from all lottery areas during all deer seasons, which include archery, firearms and muzzleloader.

Individuals who are successful in both lotteries may only fill one permit. If the permit is filled during the firearm season, the muzzleloader either-sex permit is no longer valid. If a hunter harvests a deer during the firearms season in a lottery area, that hunter still can hunt statewide during the muzzleloader season in any managed or intensive area.

Lottery winners will receive permits via U.S. mail. Hunters may apply for an either-sex permit through any Electronic License System agent, online or by calling 1-888-665-4236.

Bonus permits cannot be used in lottery deer areas, regardless of weapon type. Hunters who are unsuccessful in the lottery may only harvest a legal buck throughout the season in lottery deer areas.

Archery hunters may take a deer of either sex in a lottery area without applying for a permit. Archery hunters who are successful in any lottery area may not harvest another deer from any other lottery area using a bow, firearm or muzzleloader. They may harvest additional deer using bonus permits in managed and intensive areas.

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