Hunting Roundup: Ely registration numbers now only down by 10 percent

The Department of Natural Resources Area Wildlife headquarters in Tower reported 21% fewer deer registered, compared to 2004, through the first 10 days of the 2005 Minnesota firearms deer season in Northern St Louis and Lake Counties.In Ely, the second report found a decrease from last year, but the percentage drop changed considerably.In 2004, 555 deer were reported on the second Tuesday of the 16-day season. This year the number was 495, down just 10 percent. Hunters are reporting decreased success overall, with many parties seeing less deer activity through the second weekend of the 16-day season. Weather and hunting conditions were generally below par throughout the past week, with 40 mph winds, rain and snow thrown into the mix. Nine local big game registration stations registered 3,082 deer through the second weekend compared to 3,904 in 2004, 5,118 in 2003 and 3,237 in 2002. Registration figures varied from down nine percent at Blomberg’s in Babbitt to down 30% at Lucky 7 in Chisholm. Most stations were down about 15 to 25%. The decrease in doe permits in Deer Management Unit 175 (North of the Iron Range) has decreased the deer harvest across that unit, as it was a lottery unit in 2005. Hunters have reported highly variable deer population numbers and success, depending on where they hunt within DMU 175. DNR wildlife managers will continue to closely monitor population levels across the Tower area.Hunters hunting in permit areas 116, 122 and 127 in Northern Lake County and East Range areas around Ely, are finding deer and a healthy deer population, despite the lack of significant snow, to initiate the annual fall migration toward winter cover. These units are all “lottery” and there are no “bonus permits” in these permit areas. Rutting activity improved this week, as bucks increased their movement, cruising in search of receptive does. The peak of the breeding period will occur over the last week of the season. Hunters should continue to see good movement over the final days of the season with a return to a more normal November weather pattern. “Bonus permits” are still available for deer management units designated “Managed” (107, 115, and 178) and can be purchased at any time during the season. There is no waiting period after purchase. The limit is one bonus permit per hunter. These deer management units have the highest deer numbers in the area.The 2005 firearms deer season continues through Sunday, Nov. 20. The 2005 muzzleloader season begins Saturday, Nov. 26 and closes Sunday, Dec. 11. Permit areas 116, 126 and 127 are closed to muzzleloader hunting to protect wintering deer concentrations in the Northeast Minnesota border country.