Deer hunting opening weekend harvest running well above five-year average

Welcome to Field Notes, a weekly roundup of news and know-how for Minnesota hunters and anglers. Plentiful deer and pleasant weather are being credited with what appears to be one of the most successful opening weekends for Minnesota deer hunters in recent years. As of Monday afternoon, hunters had registered about 76,000 whitetail deer from Saturday and Sunday, the opening weekend for the state’s regular firearm season — the busiest hunting event of the year. Last year’s opening weekend saw 65,000 deer killed, and this year’s number is a 28% increase from the five-year average. Advertisement After a series of mild winters, much of Minnesota has deer populations that are at or above the goals of state wildlife managers, leading officials to speculate that the 2026 season would see widespread hunter success . But there was always the question of opening weekend weather, which can affect how many of the perhaps 400,000 weekend hunters hunt and for how long. “The weather this weekend was great,” Paul Burr, deer coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources, said Monday. “It was cool in the morning and then warmed up to the low 50s. Just really nice for being out in the woods.” Of the deer shot over the weekend, 66% were bucks, Burr said. Advertisement Advertisement The effects were felt across much of the state, compared to last year, with the northwest quadrant up 12%, the northeast up 22%, the southeast and central up 15% and the southwest up 13%. Advertisement DNR conservation officers often struck an upbeat tone in their dispatches. Conservation officer (CO) Bill Landmark, based in Moorhead, reported it “was the best opener of the last several years, with every hunter seeing deer and having opportunities.” Success wasn’t universal, though. In some of the Arrowhead region, where winters have been severe and moose are often prioritized over deer in wildlife management plans, the tune was different. CO Trent Anderson, of Tofte, described a “a slow opener with very few deer being seen despite nice weather,” and CO Sean Williams, of Ely, wrote, “Although hunters were out in force, that didn’t seem to affect the number of deer taken and very little success was seen.” Hunter accidentally shoots partner in foot Authorities in western Minnesota are investigating what appears to be an accidental rifle discharge Sunday that left one hunter with a severely injured foot. Two adult hunters were seated in a side-by-side utility vehicle north of Ortonville getting ready for hunting when one attempted to load his firearm and it discharged, striking the other man in his left foot, according to the Big Stone County Sheriff’s Office. Advertisement Most Read Vikings Vikings’ season hits new low with ugly ‘Monday Night Football’ loss to Bills Sports Scoggins: Vikings need a quarterback now, not another Kevin O’Connell project Chip Scoggins Vikings Vikings defense delivers, but Carson Wentz and offense unravel vs. Bills on MNF TV and Media Alexandria teen Brooklyn Marie eliminated from ‘The Voice’ Most Read Vikings Vikings’ season hits new low with ugly ‘Monday Night Football’ loss to Bills Sports Scoggins: Vikings need a quarterback now, not another Kevin O’Connell project Chip Scoggins Vikings Vikings defense delivers, but Carson Wentz and offense unravel vs. Bills on MNF TV and Media Alexandria teen Brooklyn Marie eliminated from ‘The Voice’ Advertisement “Investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether any mechanical malfunction may have contributed to the discharge,” the office said in a news release. “There was nothing malicious about it,” Sheriff Mark Brown said in a phone interview. “We are investigating this as an accident.” CO checks hunter for license, points out buck Working around the Walker area, CO Jack Lien described a “memorable moment” in “being present with a hunter who took a nice buck while checking him for his license.” Here’s what happened, according to Lien: “While checking state forest land, I came across a hunter who had spotted a couple of deer nearby. As we talked, I pointed out a nice buck in the area, and he took the opportunity to make his harvest. With a little help getting the deer back to his vehicle, it turned into a memorable experience for both of us. “It’s not every day you get to harvest a buck with a conservation officer standing right over your shoulder! A pretty unique ‘time and place’ kind of encounter in the woods.” Advertisement Reward upped in hunter’s killing 10 years ago Expanded image view Terrence "Terry" Brisk ( The Minnesota Star Tribune ) Saturday marked the 10-year anniversary of the death of Terry Brisk, who was shot with his own rifle while deer hunting on his parents’ property in Morrison County . Advertisement Advertisement For years, investigators have characterized the death as a homicide but have not charged anyone. On Friday, Sheriff Shawn Larsen announced that the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Brisk’s murder had increased from $30,000 to $50,000. “Even the smallest piece of information could be critical in helping us solve this case. Ten years have passed, but our commitment to finding answers and bringing justice to Terry and his family remains as strong as ever,” Larsen said in a news release and in a video shared on social media . Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 320-632-9233 or contact Crime Stoppers of Minnesota . Elsewhere ... Dennis Anderson: Amid autumn’s changes, the allure of Minnesota deer camps remains constant He wanted to share his passion. Now teens are learning to hunt with bows. Wisconsin DNR shooting range funds fall short Your turn. Have a question or something to add about this week’s Field Notes? Comment below. Dave will be checking in and joining the conversation. 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