Minnesota hunters took fewer than 200,000 deer during the 2009 season, state conservation officials reported Tuesday, reflecting the mission of regulators to bring down the number from the previous season.

Compared with 2008’s total of nearly 222,000, the overall take declined by about 12.5 percent.

The take last season was 194,178 -- 165,428 by firearm, 20,659 by archery and 8,091 by muzzleloader, the state Department of Natural Resources said in releasing its final numbers. The firearm total was down 13 percent, archery fell 9 percent and muzzleloader decreased 15 percent.

The final deer numbers are calculated with information provided by hunters when they register their deer.

For the 2010 season, the deadline for the either-sex permit application is Sept. 9. Archery deer hunting will begin Sept. 18. The statewide firearms deer-hunting season opens Nov. 6.. The muzzleloader season opens Nov. 27.