Almanac: Businesses feel pinch of deer registration changes

Changes to Minnesota's deer registration system, which for the first time allow hunters to register deer by phone or Internet, have been a big hit.

About half the 184,000 deer killed this season have been registered that way. Hunters obviously like the convenience.

"It's been phenomenally successful," said Lou Cornicelli, Department of Natural Resources big game manager.

But not everyone is happy.

Because so many hunters registered by phone or the Internet, foot traffic has been down at many of the 700 stores that act as big game registration stations.

"It's really hit us hard," said Mark Miner, owner of Rapids West End Market Place in Grand Rapids, a bait-convenience store and gas station. "It's cost me $10,000. And I've talked to other stores in the area that say business also is way down."

On the deer opener, his store registered just 60 deer, compared to more than 100 last year, and foot traffic remained down by 50 percent. Registration stations get just 25 cents from the DNR for each deer they register, but more important is that hunters often buy something while at the stores.

Cornicelli said he's received a few such complaints from businesses -- but has gotten none from hunters.

"We're empathetic, but our desire is to make it convenience for our clientele," he said. "Our hunters want this. We're not trying to put people out of business, we're trying to collect information the best way possible."

He said he expects the percentage of hunters registering via phone or Internet likely will increase next year as more hunters become aware of the option. Miner, a deer hunter, agrees that is likely, meaning even less foot traffic at registration stations like his. He doesn't see a solution.

"I don't think they can put the genie back in the bottle," he said.

The trend likely will mean the DNR will reduce the number of registration stations next year, Cornicelli said. Missouri, which has a similar system, dropped all of its deer registration stations. "I don't see us doing that," he said. "But we're looking at fewer next year."

Did you know? • Minnesota's duck season closes Tuesday. The Canada goose season continues until Dec. 25 is most of the state. There are 65,000 to 80,000 geese at the Lac qui Parle refuge.

• Charges are pending against a Pennington County man who admitted shooting a cow moose during the deer season.

• Conservation officer Duke Broughten of Longville is investigating the illegal shooting of a wolf near Mule and Wabedo lakes.

• A falcon was illegally shot near Paynesville as its handler was using the bird lawfully for hunting.