May 13, 2024



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

May 13, 2024




*For more information:* <[email protected]>

Contact the DNR Information Center
by?email? <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Minnesota DNR recognizes state record shovelnose sturgeon [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Opportunities available to hunt elk in Minnesota [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Starry stonewort confirmed in Middle Cullen Lake in Crow Wing County [ #link_1 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

"A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management."

Spring turkey hunting season continues through May 31

Firearms turkey hunters who have an unused tag from an earlier hunt period can participate in the final hunt period from Wednesday, May 22, through Friday, May 31. Hunters can also purchase a license for this time period. Archery-only and youth ages 17 and younger are allowed to hunt during any time period, including the final one. Hunters cannot purchase both a firearms and archery-only license.

Turkey licenses can be purchased online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/buyalicense), by phone at 888-665-4236, or in person from a license agent. More information about turkey hunting in Minnesota can be found on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey). Hunters concerned about avian influenza and wild turkeys can find USDA safe handling practices [ [link removed] ] (aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf) and additional information on the DNR avian influenza webpage [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/ai).

Minnesota DNR invites people to share pheasant and turkey observations

Minnesotans will be able to report observations of ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys in a citizen science effort by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

People can report any pheasant and turkeys they see in the wild from May through September. Information from the reports will help the Minnesota DNR monitor pheasant and turkey population trends, evaluate conservation efforts and make decisions about harvest regulations. People can report pheasants and turkeys of all ages.

Using a mobile device or desktop computer, people can enter information on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/wildlife/sightings). The page will also include the opportunity to sign up for email updates that will be sent out when results are available from the reporting effort.

Minnesota DNR webinars focus on alternative lawns and invasive earthworms

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the spring program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.

In a webinar on Wednesday, May 15, Daniel Schultz, a master naturalist and volunteer community habitat coordinator with the National Wildlife Federation, will discuss creating biodiverse lawns with native plant species. Also, participants will hear tips and have questions answered on managing and maintaining a native lawn landscape.

In a webinar on Wednesday, May 22, Laura Van Riper, DNR terrestrial invasive species program coordinator, will discuss effects of invasive earthworms and provide more detail on jumping worms, including how to identify them, known current distribution, and research and regulatory updates. Also, participants will learn about actions people can take to prevent and report jumping worms and other invasive earthworm species.

The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

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Minnesota DNR recognizes state record shovelnose sturgeon

Anglers recently caught two shovelnose sturgeon that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognized in quick succession as state records in the catch-and-release category based on length of the fish.

Tyler Young of Lakeville caught and released a 34 1/4 inch shovelnose sturgeon March 8 on the Mississippi River. Young?s new record stood for only a few days before being broken after Elliott Feldman of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., caught and released a 35-inch shovelnose sturgeon March 12 on the Minnesota River.

The Minnesota DNR expanded the catch-and-release record category this year to allow records for 18 species beyond the four species previously recognized, a change made in response to the increasing popularity of catch-and-release fishing and to raise the profile of native rough fish. Additionally, records established prior to requiring weight to be documented on a certified scale are now recognized as historical records.

The record fish program has been managed by the state?s fisheries resource agency in various forms for nearly 100 years. For record fish lists and application requirements, visit the Minnesota DNR record fish webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/recordfish).?

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Opportunities available to hunt elk in Minnesota

License applications now open

Hunters have through Saturday, June 15, to apply for one of the 10 elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Licenses offered this year include two landowner permits, two 10-year history permits, and six general lottery permits.

Hunters can apply for:


* One of three available licenses to harvest either a bull or antlerless elk in zone 20?s season A.
* One of two available licenses to harvest an antlerless elk, which can be a female or a young male, in zone 20?s season B.
* One of five available licenses to harvest either a bull or antlerless elk in zone 30?s season C.

All three seasons will be conducted from Saturday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 29.

There are currently three recognized herds in northwestern Minnesota: Grygla, Kittson Central and Caribou-Vita. The Grygla area zone remains closed to state-licensed elk hunters.

The DNR is committed to managing elk for specific population goals set in the most recent elk management plan. The reduction in harvestable elk by state hunters reflects our desire to move toward population goals while considering potential harvest by Red Lake Nation Band members.

The reduction also accounts for uncertainty in elk numbers since lack of snow prevented DNR from conducting its aerial elk population survey in 2024.

?We know there are concerns related to crop and fence damage,? said Kelsie LaSharr, DNR elk coordinator. ?The DNR will continue to work with tribal nations, local landowners, agricultural producers, legislators, local government officials and state agencies to address those concerns and manage Minnesota?s elk sustainably.?

Hunters must select a season and can apply individually or in parties of two at any license agent, online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/buyalicense) or by telephone at 888-665-4236. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $5 per hunter.

Two licenses, one in zone 20 and one in zone 30, are reserved for individuals who meet landowner requirements [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/elk/landowner-elk-hunting.html) and apply for a license.

Successful hunters must present the animal within 24 hours of harvest for registration and collection of biological samples to screen for diseases or other health-related issues.

More information is available on the DNR?s?elk hunting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/elk). For more on Minnesota?s elk, visit the DNR?s?elk management webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/elk).

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Starry stonewort confirmed in Middle Cullen Lake in Crow Wing County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Middle Cullen Lake, near Nisswa in Crow Wing County.?

Minnesota DNR staff, who were conducting a curly-leaf pondweed survey, discovered starry stonewort about 100 feet from the Middle Cullen Lake public access. A follow-up survey is being conducted to determine the extent of starry stonewort distribution in the lake.

Middle Cullen Lake is part of the Cullen chain of lakes, with several connected lakes and other lakes in close proximity. The DNR has updated signage at the lake?s public access and provided decontamination and expanded watercraft inspections, which were in place for the fishing opener weekend.

Starry stonewort is usually identified by the star-shaped white bulbils for which it is named. These bulbils typically don?t become visible until late summer but were observed on the starry stonewort in Middle Cullen Lake. The early visibility of bulbils might be due to unusually warm winter temperatures and below-average snowfall this past winter.

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 has now been confirmed in 29 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in Minnesota in 2015.

Starry stonewort is an algae that looks like some native aquatic plants. Information on how to identify starry stonewort can be found on the?DNR website [ [link removed] ] (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 Minnesota DNR by contacting their?area invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (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:?


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and gear to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.?
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.?
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.?
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.?
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one water body to another.?

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:?


* *Decontaminate *watercraft, trailers and gear ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination webpage of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).?
* *Spray* watercraft, trailers and gear 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).?
* *Dry* watercraft, trailers and gear for at least five days before using in another water body.?

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