Outdoors

Hunting season not bringing in as many bucks to merchants
The deer hunting season is underway in Minnesota, but the northern Minnesota economy isn't getting as much of a boost as it often does. Stricter bag limits, combined with a weak economy, mean hunters are spending fewer dollars on the sport.
Wisconsin wildlife officials say hunters are seeing between one to three deer per outing during the state's early hunting seasons.
A bow-and-arrow hunter is accused of illegally taking a trophy white-tailed buck in Goodhue County.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty shot a buck during the Governor's Deer Opener last weekend, but he and his hunting companions were unable to find it.
Minnesota deer hunting opener will be a warm one
With high temperatures in the 50s or even 60s for Minnesota's deer hunting opener on Saturday, anyone who harvests a deer will have to make sure the meat isn't left out in the open for too long.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty travels to northwestern Minnesota Friday the Seventh Annual Governor's Deer Hunting Opener.
The slow harvest has Minnesota authorities concerned about the safety of deer hunters.
Archery hunts have been scheduled for this month and next to help reduce the deer population in St. Paul's Highland Park area.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its pheasant index is down 27 percent from last year and 27 percent below the 10-year average. The index had been above average for the past four years, which meant some of the best hunting since the mid-1950s and early 1960s.
Minnesota's bear hunting season opens Tuesday morning.