Deer hunting boosts local economy

Hunting season brings in big bucks.

By this time next weekend, Hubbard County and its neighbors will be awash in blaze orange and the countryside will ring with the sound of high-powered guns.

"It's good for the local economy, there's no doubt about it," said Kevin Lempola, owner of Delaney's Sports Center in Park Rapids. "You get a sudden influx of people" staying in hotels or resorts, dining out, spending money. "Convenience stores, gas stations really do a good business," he said.

Ironically, it's a tricky business for sporting goods stores, he said. "If it's warm out all of our clothing sits. If it's cold you sell out and people complain," he said. "It's tough to plan for so it can be tough from a business standpoint."

Lempola said ammunition is also hard to inventory from year to year. "Some people, their ammunition will last five years. Others take a lot of shots and need to replace it more often" he said. He's never quite sure how much to order each season.

Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources estimates the deer population between 1 million and 1.25 million this fall, largely due to a decade of relatively mild winters.

Because of that large population, early deer seasons in the region, along with early licensing requirements and a lottery, weren't necessary, Lempola said.

To date, only about 900 deer firearms permits have been sold in Hubbard County, said DNR spokesman Ron Kullman. Because selling agents receive $1 per deer license, that's only generated about $900 locally in license fees.

Statewide about 140,000 deer firearm permits have been sold to date, generating almost $4 million for state coffers, Kullman said.

Those numbers are about to rise exponentially. Around 600,000 deer hunters are expected this season, the DNR estimates.

Lempola anticipates being swamped next Friday, the day before the Nov. 8 opener, with hunters buying that last-minute license.

Delaney's will have additional help available to handle the crush of customers.

Hospitality industry figures vary, but a ballpark estimate is that deer hunting adds $250 million to state businesses and employs 5,000 people annually.

Wanita Nosbush, who owns Cedar Shores Lodge & Resort on Long lake, wants to continue the run of luck she and her husband experienced all summer long -- a full house.

The Nosbushes open their six cabins up to deer hunters every year. So far two cabins are booked and Wanita is hoping for last minute bookings.

"We love having the hunters in town," she said. "They're respectful and wonderful guests."

But she knows one of her larger groups will not be returning. The resort owners had sent the group to some public lands last year that weren't posted. The group was rudely confronted by local hunters who felt the group was trespassing. Wanita said.

"It was very disheartening for them," she said. There's enough deer to go around for all hunters, she said.

In Lake George, Phyllis Norenberg cooks big breakfasts when the deer hunters come to town. "They're very good customers," she said.

The Lake George Café fills up during deer season. Once Norenberg has finished the breakfast rush, she begins preparations on the late lunches hunters request after a day in the fields.

Wanita said she believes low gas prices will bring lots of people to town.

But Lempola said he doubts deer hunting is a gas-sensitive sport. "Hunters will come here at all costs," he said. "It's a once-a-year deal."

What Lempola hopes is that the lower gas prices will enable hunters to spend more money in other ways, such as accessorizing and dining.

"It will free up money for the locals," he said. "Hopefully it'll trickle down into the economy."