With nearly 500,000 firearms deer hunters in the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is encouraging hunters to purchase their licenses early to avoid long lines and any system issues associated with the high sales volume.
Fred Rogers of Marine General Supply in Duluth agrees. License sales have been brisk at the shop, Rogers said. But he urged hunters not to procrastinate.
"My advice is don't wait until the Friday afternoon before the season," Rogers said. "Sometimes the machines get backed up, and it takes longer. Patience gets short. Guys want to get up to the shack and get the place warmed up and get dinner going."
Minnesota's firearms deer season opens Saturday.
Here are other ways to keep the lines moving, Rogers said:
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Make sure you know what zone you'll be hunting in. Check the map that comes with the hunting regulations before going to purchase your license. Deer licenses can be purchased for $27 at DNR license agents across Minnesota, by phone at (888) 665-4236 or online at www.mndnr.gov/
buyalicense. There are additional fees for telephone and Internet transactions, which individuals should check before buying their license. Hunters who purchase licenses by phone and Internet will receive their deer tags by mail, which can take five to 10 business days to arrive.
