In This Issue
Conservation technology company selected as vendor
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota IT Services have selected conservation technology company S3 as the vendor to build a modern electronic licensing system to serve the state?s anglers, boaters, hunters and recreational vehicle owners.
?This is an important and exciting milestone toward making it easier for all Minnesotans who already buy licenses for their outdoor pursuits and those who would like to try something new,? said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. ?The new licensing system will modernize DNR?s ability to connect Minnesotans with the information and services they need so they can get outside and enjoy our exceptional lands and waters.?
S3 has built licensing systems for a number of other states including Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.
?We are one step closer to modernizing the way you can access licensing services from the DNR,? said Tarek Tomes, commissioner of Minnesota IT Services. ?The new system will make it faster and easier for Minnesotans to buy licenses and ultimately, experience Minnesota?s natural resources.?
Minnesotans will still be able to buy licenses at their favorite bait shop or sporting goods store, but the new system will provide much improved online capabilities, including the ability to buy and store licenses on mobile devices. Recreational vehicle and boat license and registration services will continue to be provided by mail, online or in-person at deputy registrar offices. Licenses and registrations will also continue to be available at the DNR license center in St. Paul.
The new system?s construction and testing are expected to take about two years to complete, with a public launch expected in early 2025. For more information, and to sign up to receive email updates about the new license system, visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/rlp/els.html).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in the Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area to participate in a webinar and help inform the DNR?s updates to the WMA?s master plan.
The webinar will be held 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. DNR staff will present a brief overview of the WMA and the planning process, answer questions and take feedback during the session. Registration is not required. A link to join the webinar is available on the DNR?s Mille Lacs WMA webpage?(mndnr.gov/areas/wildlife/mille_lacs_wma.html).
Mille Lacs WMA?s 43,000 acres provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. The updated master plan will be used to guide management of the WMA?s forests, wetlands, and brushlands. It will include management goals, objectives and strategies for the WMA for the next 10 years.
?The last plan was completed in 1977,? said Steve Piepgras, Mille Lacs WMA supervisor. ?This update to the plan will guide how this WMA will be managed into the future, and public input is an important part of this process.?
Input from the upcoming webinar will help the DNR develop a draft management plan for Mille Lacs WMA. The draft plan will be available for public review and input in early fall. At that time, people will be able to comment on the draft plan in person, online and via mail/email. The DNR will finalize the plan by Dec. 31.
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A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
Application deadline for bear hunt lottery closes May 5
Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 5, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2023 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236.
A total of 4,035 licenses are available in 14 permit areas for the 2023 season, which opens Friday, Sept. 1, and closes Sunday, Oct. 15.
Lottery winners will be notified by Thursday, June 1. The deadline to purchase bear hunting licenses awarded by lottery is Tuesday, Aug. 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available over the counter starting at noon Friday, Aug. 4.
An unlimited number of bear licenses also will be sold over the counter for the no-quota area that includes east-central and far northwestern Minnesota. No-quota licenses are valid only in the no-quota area.
Hunters with either a quota or no-quota license who are interested in taking a problem bear should contact the?area DNR wildlife manager?in the area(s) of interest (mndnr.gov/areas/wildlife) to be added to the hunter contact list for any potential opportunities.
Complete instructions about how to apply for a license, maps of permit areas and a listing of permit availability for each area are available on the?DNR website?(mndnr.gov/hunting/bear).
DNR webinars cover coldwater fish hatcheries, fishing for freshwater drum
The DNR invites people interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that feature discussions about coldwater fish hatcheries and fishing for freshwater drum, also called sheepshead.
The first webinar is Wednesday, April 26. Minnesota has a large system of coldwater hatcheries that provide 1.7 million trout each year for stocking into 200 lakes and 100 streams throughout the state. Meredith Warmuth, DNR fish hatchery specialist, will share information on the components of the hatchery system, how it benefits trout fishing in Minnesota, and how to tour these facilities.
The second webinar is Wednesday, May 3. Chris Domeier, DNR Ortonville area fisheries supervisor, will discuss when, where and how to fish for freshwater drum in Minnesota. He?ll also cover their life history and how to clean and cook this often overlooked, native and tasty species.
The webinars are part of the DNR?s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinars are free, but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/discover).
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