Deer hunters who use a firearm or muzzleloader in deer permit areas 244, 245 and 246 (Becker, Hubbard, and Cass counties) and want to harvest an antlerless deer must apply for an either-sex permit by the Thursday, Sept. 10 deadline. Successful applicants will be drawn by lottery.
All Wadena County land north of Menahga and east of the Crow Wing River is in Permit area 246. There will be 4,000 permits awarded in Permit area 246.
Hunters will apply for the permits at the same time that they buy their deer hunting license.
"Nearly half of Minnesota's 127 deer permit areas now are lottery areas, a significant increase from last year," said Rob Naplin, Park Rapids area wildlife supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "More permit areas were designated lottery in 2009 because deer populations in those areas are at or below deer population goals."
"Annually, we estimate deer numbers using a population model that considers harvest and over-winter survival," said Naplin. "We then use that information to designate lottery areas."
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In lottery deer areas, firearms and muzzleloader hunters may only harvest a buck unless they apply for and receive an either-sex permit. Successful applicants may take an antlerless deer only in the designated lottery area and only during the season listed on the application.
"Unlike previous years, muzzleloader hunters must apply for a permit even if they don't hunt the regular firearms season," Naplin said. "If a hunter applies for and receives a permit for the muzzleloader season, for example, it's not valid during firearms season. And a firearm season permit is not valid during muzzleloader season."
Hunters may apply for an either-sex permit through any Electronic License System agent, via the DNR Web site or by calling toll free (888) 665-4236. Lottery winners will receive permits via U.S. mail.
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.
The City of Wadena is the meeting point of four permit areas. Permit areas 240 and 214 are managed permit areas with a limit of two deer per hunter. Permit areas 241 and 243 are intensive management areas where up to five deer can be taken.
