ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Department of Natural Resources is taking public comments on southeastern Minnesota deer population goals recommended by a citizen advisory team.

Leslie McInenly, the DNR's big game program leader, says the agency has used a fairly extensive process to revisit deer population goals in southeastern Minnesota. She says the process has included hunter and landowner surveys, public meetings and opt-in questionnaires, and most recently, the assistance of a citizen advisory team to review the public input and provide recommendations.

The 21 committee members represented a cross-section of interests.

Specific recommendations for each of the nine deer hunting areas in southeastern Minnesota will be posted online.

The DNR will evaluate advisory team recommendations and public comments before determining the final deer population goals and harvest strategies for each hunting area.

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