High winds, cold weather and fewer deer in the woods resulted in a disappointing Minnesota firearms deer opener for many hunters.
Reports were especially bad in the far north, where a brutal winter pummeled the deer herd.
Conservation officer Troy Fondie of Orr said it was the worst deer hunting he has seen, along with the lowest number of deer hunters.
"A number of traditional hunting camps sat vacant,'' he said.
Other northern Minnesota conservation officers, including ones in Detroit Lakes, Pelican Rapids, Warroad, Baudette, Cook, International Falls, Ely and Grand Marais reported poor hunting.
"[The] hunting opener was slow with fewer than normal hunters out, very few bucks seen and many stating they are pulling the plug after sitting all weekend and not seeing a thing,'' said conservation officer Mark Fredin of Aurora.
But hunters did well in some areas, particularly farther south.
"Most groups checked had at least some success and some were doing very well,'' said officer Caleb Silgjord of Sauk Centre. Some hunters did very well near Pequot Lakes. And officer Tom Hemker of Winona reported "a good deer opener with high numbers of successful hunters with very few violations.''
