11/25/2009 9:25:00 AM Deer hunting slowed down, but still seeing success
By Eric Rain
The number of deer harvested this year firearm season may be down this year, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been some success. With the October rain causing area farmers to delay the harvest, the deer have found refuge in unpicked corn fields. That has caused slight decrease in the number of deer harvested this year. According to the Minnesota DNR, roughly 475,000 hunters take the woods every year, with 98% of those being residents. Those hunters provide a boost to the economy, both in retail sales and taxes. They produce around $33 million in State and local tax revenue. But with the hunting conditions being less than ideal, some hunters have opted to skip their annual trip to the woods.
That doesn't mean the die hard hunters haven't had success this year. Jared Goldsmith, a seventh grader at Chatfield, shot his first buck during first season shotgun. His buck scored in the upper 170's and was taken with a .410 gauge single shot from 25 yards. An amazing deer for this young hunter, who was more than happy to give the details of his hunt. There is a lot of season left, with second season shotgun, muzzleloader, and archery season still going, there will be more trophy deer brought in.
