The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources received a petition from a number of environmental and conservation groups requesting that the DNR initiate rulemaking to: Ban the possession and use of lead or other toxic fishing tackle on Minnesota waters located within the common loon range; Prohibit the taking of wild animals within Minnesota while possessing or using bullets containing lead... READ MORE >
Cascade River and Judge C R. Magney state parks will hold special firearms deer hunts again this fall during regular firearms season Nov. 9-24. Hunters who did not apply for the special hunt in advance but are interested in participating can obtain excess permits over the counter at the park office. A state park deer hunt permit is required in... READ MORE >
The most recent small game hunter survey from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources revealed the fewest number of hunters pursuing species like grouse, waterfowl and squirrels since the DNR began keeping track of these figures in 1969. Small game license sales have been trending lower for the past 20 years. “Every year that license sales go down means our... READ MORE >
Nearly half a million firearms deer hunters are preparing for the season that opens Saturday, Nov. 9, and offers opportunity to spend time with friends and family, find adventure outdoors and put venison in the freezer. Hunters help keep deer populations in line with population goals across the state, and wildlife managers report good opportunities to harvest deer. But they... READ MORE >
Throughout most of Minnesota, the bag limit for antlered bucks is one. In specific deer permit areas in the southeast corner of the state the bag limit is one antlered buck per license type, making the limit three total bucks. In permit areas 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649 and 655 in southeast Minnesota, one buck can be taken on... READ MORE >
On a recent visit to Lower Dean Lake, Ann Geisen, wildlife lake specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, looked out at what she called a gorgeous stand of wild rice. “We’re happy to have a part in managing this lake for wild rice and wildlife. Favorable weather helps the rice, too,” Geisen said. “Wild rice and its harvesting... READ MORE >
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen issued an order denying requests by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, multiple environmental organizations and some individuals to reconsider the tailings dam permits issued to PolyMet on Nov. 1, 2018. The DNR takes the safety of all tailings dams it regulates very seriously and the agency understands concerns... READ MORE >
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed a 10-year effort to provide much more accurate maps of Minnesota’s wetlands. The update of the state’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) used new technologies to produce a clearer picture of Minnesota’s wetlands, lakes, rivers and streams. The updated NWI gives resource managers and landowners a vital tool to aid wetland protection and... READ MORE >
Hunters can start planning ahead for significant changes to deer season regulations, including a youth deer season that’s expanded statewide, expanded deer feeding and attractant bans, and other updates related to managing chronic wasting disease. “We heard a lot of support for a statewide youth deer hunting season,” said Barbara Keller, big game program leader for the Minnesota Department of... READ MORE >
The Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers for its loon monitoring program. As part of this effort, the DNR has launched a new online system that will help volunteers identify lakes available for monitoring. Volunteers will be able to use the system to manage their lake assignments, view information for their lakes, and print data sheets. “This new system... READ MORE >
