And check out these deer hunting photos



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minnesota department of natural resources


*Minnesota Wildlife*



"Nov. 9, 2023"

Stay informed! Here?s a summary of upcoming wildlife and habitat management activities and ways you can discover, explore and experience Minnesota?s outdoors.

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feral pigs caught on a trail camera photo
DNR to host meeting on future risks of feral pigs and farmed mink

Several Minnesota state agencies are reviewing how to prevent negative impacts on the environment and human health from feral pigs and farmed mink let loose in the wild.

The Minnesota DNR, in cooperation with the Board of Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Health, is asking people to share their perspectives in an online questionnaire.

Additionally, the DNR will host an online public meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 that will include a brief overview of agency roles and responsibilities, a discussion of potential changes in state management, and an opportunity for participants to offer input. Registration will not be required. The questionnaire, meeting information and other ways to comment can be found on the DNR website [ [link removed] ]. The state?s review will be presented to the Minnesota State Legislature in February 2024.



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hunter with a muzzleloader on the deer he harvested
Not too early to gear up for muzzleloader season

Ever wanted to try hunting deer with a muzzleloader? This hunting season is 16 days long and for some offers a chance to extend hunting opportunities, especially if their regular firearms or archery season action ends up being slow. The 2023 muzzleloader season is Saturday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Dec. 10, and specific regulations for the season are found on page 90 of the?Minnesota Hunting Regulations [ [link removed] ].

We also have a recorded outdoor skills webinar [ [link removed] ] all about?hunting deer with a muzzleloader. While some of the specific regulations and dates only apply to 2022, there?s a bevy of technical know-how and tips shared that you might find useful if you?re thinking about giving muzzleloader hunting a try.

"Photo courtesy of Brent Lien of Rohr Brockman?s first deer in 2022"



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the deer harvest dashboard found on the DNR website
Deer harvest numbers available online

As of early this week, deer harvest was lagging compared to the same time last year by about 12%, and deer license sales were also down by about 4%, although these figures will change as the season progresses. Hunters, media and anyone interested in statewide deer harvest data can find current deer harvest figures and harvest reports for past years on the Minnesota DNR?deer reports and statistics page [ [link removed] ].

The page also features an interactive map and graphs that visualizes the data including numbers on how many deer have been harvested by muzzleloaders, vertical bows, crossbows and firearms.



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deer hunter in an enclosed blind with a non-hunting assistant sitting next to him
DNR working to make deer hunting more accessible

At the DNR, we are dedicated to making outdoor experiences more accessible for all Minnesotans. We?ve long worked with Capable Partners Inc., which recently hosted an accessible deer hunt at Becklin Homestead Wildlife Management Area near Cambridge. Becklin Homestead is one of the larger sites where we have created adaptive and accessible hunting opportunities for hunting and veterans groups. Check out this Fox 9 feature [ [link removed] ]?showing the recent hunt.



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Graphic of Wild Minnesota Recipe Exchange, Minnesota DNR logo, deer image, fork spoon knife, on recipe card
Share your venison recipes

Calling all deer hunters! Do you have a favorite venison recipe? Share it with the Minnesota DNR by Thursday, Nov. 30, for a chance to be featured on our website, social media and other publications.

Recipes can carry special meaning. They?re passed down generations and are central to cultural traditions. And some are special because they just taste darn good. Wild game meals give hunters a chance to fully appreciate their harvest, share with friends and family, and connect with nature on a deeper level.

It?s easy to share your venison recipe. Visit the DNR website to submit your recipe [ [link removed] ] online. Remember to submit it by Nov. 30 for your chance to be featured.



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many deer in a snowy field
You can donate your deer

The Minnesota DNR, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, has a program that allows Minnesota deer hunters to donate deer carcasses to food shelves and feeding programs. This program provides an excellent source of protein to people in need while helping reduce local deer populations.?To participate, hunters?must have their deer processed at a Minnesota Department of Agriculture-registered meat processing plant that has agreed to participate in the program. Find the details about this program on the DNR website [ [link removed] ].?



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a river otter on its back
Wildlife highlight: river otters

Behold one of Minnesota?s fiercest aquatic predators: the river otter!

River otters are part of the weasel family, mustelidae, along with badger, ermine, mink and marten. They are widespread throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and are common in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Adult otters can weigh up to 30 pounds. They have long, sleek bodies with short legs, webbed feet and a long, tapered tail. Otters are carnivorous, eating fish, mussels, muskrats, turtles and small mammals that wander near water.

One of the best times to see otters is during winter when lakes are frozen over. They?ll need to come up for air, so watch openings in the ice for sightings of these critters. Learn more about river otters on the University of Minnesota Duluth website [ [link removed] ].?

"Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service"



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Hunting season photos!

Do you have hunting photos you?d like to share? We?d love to see your hunting photos, whether from deer camp, time in the stand, hunting traditions or when you?ve been out chasing roosters, grouse, or squirrels.

It?s easy to share them via our photo uploader pages: one is for?wildlife or general hunting photos [ [link removed] ]?and one for?deer hunting photos [ [link removed] ]. We may share your photos in DNR email updates, social media and our website. We welcome photos of any aspect of hunting you?d like to share, and please make sure hunters have on the required blaze clothing and are safely handling firearms. Here are some recent highlights.

parents and two kids with a large deer the dad harvested

"?Hunting is a family affair over here. We all got to track daddy"?"s buck :)? photo courtesy of Sarah Amy."

pheasants on a post with a dog by an adopt a WMA sign and Legacy amendment sign, and a U.S. Army Airborne backpack

"?Great day chasing roosters!? photo courtesy of Katie Willis."

girl with a doe she harvested

"?My 11-year-old daughter?s first Minnesota doe,? photo courtesy of Eric Nelson."

youth hunter with deer he harvested

"?My 14-year-old son?s first buck!? photo courtesy of?Ross Brecke."

girl with deer she harvested

"?Minnesota youth hunt first buck,? photo courtesy of?Janelle Hahn."

father and son with deer they harvested

"?First deer for both father and son 30 minutes apart. Thank you to land owners that allow access!? photo courtesy of?Pat Graif."

man with deer he harvested

"?My personal best. First year without my dad to hunt with. Deer opener 2023. I?m mounting it,? photo courtesy of Mike Heller."

blaze orange next to a wildlife management area sign and a sunset in the background

"?Sunday sunset? photo courtesy of?Cam Miller."






Get hunting information

Find hunting and trapping regulations, harvest registration, how to contact a conservation officer and information about pursuing a variety of species at the DNR hunting webpage [ [link removed] ]. New to hunting? Check out the DNR learn to hunt guides [ [link removed] ].







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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ?|? mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

Email us: [email protected] ?|? Call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367

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