Minnesota hunters killed 7% fewer deer this firearms season. The DNR says that the drop was expected due to an increase in the number of lottery areas where hunters had to have a permit to shoot a deer without antlers. The season is over except for a small part of southeast Minnesota. A little over 151,000 deer were taken this year. The buck harvest was up 9%, but 21% fewer antlerless deer were killed. The restrictions on antlerless permits were intended to let the state’s deer herd grow. The state’s muzzleloader season starts Saturday. Bowhunters may also still take deer through the end of the year.