To figure out what will work, the DNR is conducting research and surveying landowners to see if hunter access is going up or down.

"It's anecdotal evidence right now, but it seems as if more and more of the farmland -- particularly around the north metro and southeast corner -- is being posted, and landowners are not allowing hunters access to their land," Grund said. "We're asking landowners what are the conditions where they would allow hunters on their land, and then try to figure out a way to 'incentivize' them to allowing access."

The primary focus of this research will be in those areas where more and more urbanites are spreading out and buying five- to 10-acre lots.

"A lot of them don't know anything about hunting and don't care about it," Grund noted. "One of our hypotheses is that they are less likely to allow hunting."

REGULATION CHANGES
Some would argue that the 2006 Legislative Session was a waste of time because dedicated funding never made it onto the ballot, but there were a few votes that worked out for hunters.

A vote to change the All-Season Deer License this year passed, so that it now includes three tags with it.

The rifle/shotgun boundary was moved, and hunters should check the regulations for the exact location of the change.

The other change that hunters will find handy is how you tag your deer. It used to be that you had to tag the deer at the kill site and run the risk of having the tag pull off as you dragged the deer out. Now the tag can be applied once you are out of the thick stuff and ready to transport the deer in a vehicle. Check the regulations for the specific language on this one as well as other changes you are expected to know.

MORE BIG-BUCK OPTIONS
The Multi-Zone Buck License option experienced a decline in both the number of hunters and deer killed last year, most likely because more people are purchasing the All-Season Deer License. That's not to say they weren't successful, however, because one out of every five licensees with the Multi-Zone Buck License bagged a buck last year.

By far, the most Multi-Zone Buck License tags are filled by hunters in permit areas 410, 411, 412, 413 and 414 in west-central Minnesota. Two-thirds of all Multi-Zone Buck License holders killed their buck in Zone 4.

For this upcoming season, several permit areas are being switched from Zone 4 into Zone 2, meaning that hunters will now be able to harvest a deer of either sex through a nine-day season. In the past, hunters have had to purchase a Multi-Zone Buck License and bonus permits to take full advantage of the opportunities the areas had to offer. It makes for more hunting opportunities for the cost of a regular firearms license.

The permit areas being shifted for 2006 include 410, 411, 413, 414, 415, 419 and 429. These changes are not yet reflected on the map on page 20 of this magazine, because those numbers are based on the 2005 season. Be sure to read the 2006 regulations and study the new map if this is your hunting area. Read the regulations and study the map even if that's not your area, because there will be several other changes to know as well.

So, even though the number of youth deer hunting licenses is going through the roof, the overall number of hunters in Minnesota is declining. It could mean fewer hunters in your area, but bring a friend along this year who has either never hunted before or has taken a few years off. Even if they don't want to hunt, invite them to come along. The future of deer hunting depends on growing the sport and making more people aware of it as a key part of our heritage.

Find more about Minnesota fishing and hunting at: MinnesotaSportsmanMag.com