MONCTON, New Brunswick – About 10,460 deer were killed by New Brunswick hunters during the annual hunt that ended on the weekend.

That represents an increase of 10.1 per cent over the previous year and reflects a rebounding deer herd that had suffered hard times in recent years.

Rod Cumberland, a biologist for the province, says this is the first time in nine years that the annual deer kill has broken the 10,000 mark.

There were an estimated 50,000 registered hunters in the province this year.

Maine’s deer hunt concludes this week.