Outdoor notes

The deer harvest in east-central Minnesota is up 18 percent over last year and is the highest in seven years. Both buck and antlerless harvests increased.

"I would term it a very successful season," said Dave Schad, DNR Regional Wildlife supervisor. "This was the highest harvest this region has experienced since 1992. Not only was there a good harvest, the weather was generally good for hunting, affording a lot of opportunity for hunters."

The highest increases were in the region's forested areas. The Brainerd area had a 36 percent increase, the highest in the region, with a total of 16,879 deer taken. Aitkin followed with a 33 percent increase and 7,107 deer. The St. Cloud area harvest decreased by one percent with 6,903 deer. Other area harvests include: Cambridge 7,553, up four percent; Hinckley 12,528, up 21 percent and Little Falls 11,698, up 11 percent.

The antlerless deer harvest was 30, 494, up 25 percent. There were more antlerless permits available in the Brainerd, Hinckley and Aitkin areas and that contributed to the higher harvest.

St. Francis to host wild game feed

St. Francis Catholic Church, located at Ninth Ave. and Juniper St. in Brainerd, will host a wild game feed on Sunday, Dec. 17 after the 11 a.m. mass. Serving will begin approximately at noon and continue through 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit St. Francis school.

Attendees are asked to donate whatever dollar amount they can. Call 833-1021 for more information.