DNR considers early deer hunt in BWCA

Whitetail buck
A whitetail buck.
MPR Photo/Tim Post

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is considering a special, early deer hunt in part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Winter comes early to the far northern part of the state, and few hunters have been willing to brave the conditions in the BWCA, where motors aren't allowed.

Tom Rusch, a DNR area wildlife manager, said it can be dangerous to haul hunting gear into camp as streams and lakes are freezing.

"Trying to bust ice coming out of a deer camp or going just isn't a lot of fun, and therefore a lot of hunters aren't utilizing it," Rusch said.

Downtown Tower
The DNR plan would allow hunting in an area north and west of Tower, near Lake Vermillion in northeastern Minnesota.
MPR photo/Tom Weber

The DNR is asking for public comment on a plan to allow hunting for nine days in an area north and west of Tower, about two weeks before the regular deer season begins.

Permits would be limited to 150 hunters, and the area covers 500-square miles.

The public hearings will be held in Grand Rapids, Tower, and Duluth.

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