Updated at: 11/09/2009 10:16 PM
By: Katie Nordeen
KNordeen@wdio.com

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Duluth's Urban Hunt

This year's 5th Annual Urban Deer Bow Hunt in Duluth has been marked with both ups and downs.

"Yeah, it's been a little frustrating," said one hunter.

The over 300 hunters hitting our woods since mid-September have reported that they're seeing fewer deer, which has naturally resulted in a smaller harvest.

According to the Arrowhead Bow Hunters Alliance, as of now, around 330 deer have been taken during this year's hunt. That number is slightly behind where we were at this time last year. During the season from start to finish, hunters brought in a total of just over 530.

According to Phillip Lockett, the alliance's president, those numbers likely reflect two major aspects to this year's hunt; A cold and rainy October mixed with overall success in the past harvests.

"We're definitely seeing the results of the harvest throughout the last five years.

But with Novembers weather a sure improvement and even more zones opening such as the one at Northland Country Club-- lockett says there's a new challenge. According to Lockett, the state's traditional firearm season is taking bowhunters away.

"It probably takes a few of our archers away," Lockett said. "They may instead go to their traditional deer camps so they're not hitting the city as hard as they normally would be."

But whatever the ups or downs may be-- Lockett said they're all part of the hunt.

"That's part of hunting, part of the challenge," Lockett said. "They'll rise to the occasion and they'll harvest plenty of deer for us."

Duluth's in-city bowhunt goes until December 31st.