Hunting numbers from Minnesota’s deer firearm season opener are rolling in, and they’re on track to outpace recent seasons.

By the numbers

As of 8:30 a.m. Monday, the harvest was at about 51,000 deer, according to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Big Game Coordinator Paul Burr. Hunters have up to 48 hours to register their deer, and he expects many more to do so through Tuesday.

Based on previous years’ registration rates, he’s hopeful that opening weekend numbers reach 60,000-65,000 deer, outpacing the five-year average of 59,000.

License sales are up 1-2 percent, too, Burr told Morning Edition Monday. As of late last week, the DNR had sold about 275,000 firearm and 100,000 archery licenses.

The weekend was brisk, and Burr hopes it got hunters excited to be out in the woods.

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