Grouse, rabbit, squirrel and partridge seasons open Sept. 19, offering Minnesotans the opportunity to discover and explore more than five million acres of Minnesota’s fields and forests this fall.
“Small game season is a forgotten pleasure,” said Dennis Simon, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife section chief.
“It doesn’t take a large investment of time and money or much hunting expertise to get out and find grouse, squirrels and rabbits.”
All that is needed to hunt is a blaze-orange-colored article of clothing above the waist, a small caliber rifle or shotgun, a valid hunting license and firearms safety training, and a suitable hunting location. Complete details about seasons, requirements and bag limits are listed on pages 37-44 of the 2009 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.
“Thisshould be a great small game season, the kind you look forward to sharing with friends and family,” said Simon.
Simon noted that higher ruffed grouse numbers will likely lure some folks who haven’t hunted recently back to their favorite grouse coverts. The higher grouse numbers also make for an ideal year to introduce a youngster or friend to grouse hunting.
He encourages people who are just getting into hunting to learn about the state’s Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system, which offers hunting on its 1.2 million acres. State, county and national forests also offer opportunities.
The WMA system, one of the largest and most developed in the United States, contains 1,380 public wildlife areas across Minnesota, with habitat ranging from prairies and wetlands to forests and swamps. State forests offer an additional 4 million acres in 58 designated areas.
Details about WMAs and state forests are available online at www.mndnr.gov/destinations.
Those who visit Minnesota’s WMA system can comment on conditions and habitat at www. www.mndnr.gov/wmas/condition_ survey_pre.html.
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