In This Issue
People participating in special hunts in state parks and recreation areas or hunting in those scientific and natural areas where hunting is allowed, will be required to use nontoxic ammunition starting this fall. Peatland SNAs are exempt from this requirement. Due to shortages in certain ammunition types, this requirement also will not apply to state park youth deer hunts in the shotgun zone if hunters remove all parts of harvested deer, including the entrails.
State statute provides the highest level of protection for natural resources, including wildlife and natural features, in state parks and SNAs. Hunting is not a primary purpose of state parks and SNAs, and is only allowed if it is consistent with or helps advance the management of natural resources on these lands. Deer hunting is allowed through commissioner?s order or state statute on SNAs, and state park special hunts require a special use permit. State parks and SNAs account for less than 10% of DNR-managed lands in Minnesota.?
Requiring nontoxic ammunition will help protect species from lead poisoning ? such as eagles, ravens, hawks and bobcats ? that might ingest ammunition or feed on deer gut piles. Lead poisoning can cause neurologic impacts to wildlife, leading to injury and death. Additionally, use of nontoxic ammunition will protect the environment of these sites from lead leaching into the soil and waters via gut piles or spent ammunition remaining on site.
Nontoxic ammunition includes bullets, slugs, muzzleloader ammunition and shot that do not contain lead. More information is available at the Minnesota?DNR?s non-toxic ammunition webpage?(mndnr.gov/hunting/ammo/non-toxic.html)?
Hunters who plan to participate in state park special hunts, or hunt in an SNA where hunting is allowed and nontoxic ammunition is required, should purchase their non-toxic ammunition early to ensure they have it in time for the hunt in which they will participate.
Hunters in Minnesota who do not wish to use nontoxic ammunition have abundant options for hunting in locations with no ammunition restrictions, such as wildlife management areas and state forests.
The Minnesota DNR also continues to encourage the use of nontoxic ammunition and tackle on all Minnesota lands and waters.
To learn more about state park special hunts, including how to register, see the special hunts section toward the bottom of the Minnesota DNR?s?deer hunting webpage?(mndnr.gov/hunting/deer). To learn which SNAs allow hunting, visit the?SNA rules website?(mndnr.gov/snas/rules.html).
For questions about the above information or other DNR-related topics, contact the Minnesota DNR Information Center at?[email protected]?or 888-646-6367 (8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in North Twin Lake, near the town of Turtle River in Beltrami County.?
A Beltrami County invasive species specialist found starry stonewort near the North Twin Lake public access while conducting a routine early detection survey. North Twin Lake is near three other lakes where starry stonewort was previously confirmed. Available treatment options could include hand pulling, herbicide applications or other methods as appropriate.
Starry stonewort has now been confirmed in 25 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in the state in 2015.
Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts on water-related recreational activities. Early detection is key to effective management.
Starry stonewort is an algae that looks like some native aquatic plants. In late summer and early fall, starry stonewort?s small white star-shaped bulbils become more visible, making it easier to distinguish from other aquatic plants. Information on how to identify starry stonewort can be found on the?DNR?s website?(mndnr.gov/invasives/aquaticplants/starrystonewort). If people think they?ve found starry stonewort or any other invasive species new to a lake or river, they should report it to the DNR by contacting their?area invasive species specialist?(mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html).
Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. It is most likely spread when fragments have not been properly cleaned from trailered boats, personal watercraft, docks, boat lifts, anchors or other water-related equipment.?
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
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Clean?watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
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Drain?all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
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Dispose?of unwanted bait in the trash.
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Never release?bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
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Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days?before moving them from one waterbody to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
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Decontaminate?watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the?courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website?(mndnr.gov/decon).
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Spray?with high-pressure water or?rinse?with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
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Dry?watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
More information is available on the?aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website?(mndnr.gov/ais).
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