Minnesota hunters can expect another good deer harvest this fall when the firearm season opens Nov. 5.

Though some of the state suffered harsh winter conditions last year, the deer population wasn’t adversely affected, according to the Department of Natural Resources’ estimates. The DNR reports Minnesota’s whitetail deer population is near 1 million, based on population goals established with public input. It also estimates roughly 500,000 hunters will participate in the firearms deer season and harvest about as many deer as last year’s harvest of 207,000. Though the record deer harvest was 290,000 kills in 2003, Steve Merchant, DNR wildlife programs manager, said 207,000 is still a good season and historically above average.

“We can’t guarantee harvest success,” he said. “But we can assure hunters that good deer hunting opportunities exist throughout Minnesota.”

Hunting zones 254 and 255, which stretch from east of Austin to west of Albert Lea, will be “hunters’ choice” zones. That means a hunter can take one deer of either sex.

So far in 2011’s archery season, 34 deer have been harvested in zone 254, compared to 68 in 2010; and 48 have been taken in zone 255, compared to 49 in 2010. With the remainder of the corn ot be picked soon DNR area wildlife manager Jeanine Vorland expects those numbers to rise quickly.

Last year’s restrictions allowed for zone 254 and 255 hunters to take two deer. Though that has been reduced, there is still opportunity. Hunter have likely just been more choosy before shooting deer, Vorland said.

During the late 1990s, successive mild winters meant deer populations were at high levels in many areas. After the DNR enacted liberal hunting regulations to reduce the population, Minnesota’s deer herd is now near target levels.

“Throughout most of Minnesota, deer populations are now at goal levels,” Merchant said. “Bag limits have been reduced in some areas, but the deer population remains strong.”

Another factor that could increase hunters’ success is an early corn harvest. With much of the corn already picked, deer will be congregating in areas of thick cover. And just like the deer, hunters will be in the woods in large numbers, so Merchant urges hunter safety. Not only should hunters be mindful of where they shoot, they should be careful while getting in and out of deer stands as that is where the majority of accidents occur.

The firearms deer season concludes in northern Minnesota on Sunday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 13, in all other parts of the state. A late season in southeastern Minnesota that stretches from Watertown in the north to Caledonia in the south opens Saturday, Nov. 19, and closes Sunday, Nov. 27. Minnesota residents can purchase licenses for $27 at DNR license agents across Minnesota, by phone at 888-665-4236 or online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense.