WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |About 5 percent fewer deer being bagged in Minn.
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Associated Press - November 14, 2009 6:54 PM ET
BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) - The number of deer bagged in Minnesota this season is down about 5 percent.
A big reason is stricter hunting limits, but there are other factors. The economy may have hunters watching their expenses, and an unusually late corn harvest means enough crops are still standing to give deer a place to hide. Plus, there are fewer deer this year.
Some retailers say the trend hits them financially.
Kevin Lempola owns Delaney Sport Center in Park Rapids. He says hunting-license sales at his store are down about 25 percent, and the hunters who are showing up are buying less.
He blames a new rule that lets hunters in most places bag only one deer, down from five deer in recent years.
A state wildlife official says the rule protects the deer population.
Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mpr.org
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