Bear hunters who are successful in 2019 and after would be required to submit a bear tooth sample to be eligible for the upcoming year’s bear hunting license lottery under a new rule proposed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The DNR has for many years required hunters to submit bear tooth samples. In response to low compliance, the... READ MORE >
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following these guidelines can help minimize the risk: Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle). Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure. Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly. Bring a cell phone or personal locator... READ MORE >
Leech Lake anglers will be able to keep a wider size range of walleye starting on the 2019 fishing opener. “Walleye abundance in Leech Lake is currently at a point that we can provide anglers additional harvest opportunity beginning in May,” said Doug Schultz, Walker area fisheries supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We got here through protective... READ MORE >
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following these guidelines can help minimize the risk: Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle). Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure. Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly. Bring a cell phone or personal locator... READ MORE >
Minnesota anglers who want to catch a state record northern pike now have a new mark to beat after angler Matthew Swanson of Woodbury has claimed the record with a 45¼-inch northern pike caught on the Rainy River. The record surpasses the first ever record set in early October when Maddy Ogg caught and released a 43½-inch pike from Mille... READ MORE >
Now is the time to talk with kids about the dangers of ice. Ice thickness varies greatly on lakes, ponds and rivers throughout the state. Some water bodies have none, while others have several inches, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Ice, especially early ice with snow cover, is extremely deceptive because you can’t see dangerous cracks or... READ MORE >
Early cold temperatures and several inches of snow in parts of the state have many snowmobile enthusiasts excited to take their first ride of the season, but most trails will need more snow before grooming can begin. Most of the state’s snowmobile trails are not yet ready for riding, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota’s snowmobile trails officially... READ MORE >
Minnesota’s firearms deer season begins a half-hour before sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 3, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources expects half a million hunters to participate. Some points to remember: . Hunters will have additional deer hunting opportunities because deer numbers continue to rebound across the state. Many areas now have populations at or above goal levels. . Hunters... READ MORE >
Wildlife researchers at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are pleased to report that Minnesota bear hunters did not harvest any radio-collared research bears during this fall’s hunting season, which ran from Sept. 1 to Oct. 14. For the first time, none of the collared research bears were killed. Shooting a bear with a radio collar is legal, but has... READ MORE >
Small game license sales were down about four percent in 2017 compared to the previous year, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources annual small game survey. Results for 2017 include, by species: . Ducks: 63,426 hunters, representing a six percent decrease from 2016. Despite slightly fewer hunters, duck harvest increased 12 percent with 688,225 ducks harvested. Successful duck... READ MORE >
