In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
Statewide youth deer season returns Oct. 17-20
Minnesota’s youth deer season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20. The season coincides with statewide teacher workshops, so many Minnesota students don’t have school during the youth season.
To participate, youth must be 10-17 years old and have a deer license. Participant numbers are not limited and there is no special permit, so parents should obtain a regular deer hunting license for each youth who will be hunting. Youth may not tag antlerless deer or legal bucks taken by another individual. An adult parent, guardian or mentor must accompany youth ages 10-13.
All hunters and mentors, regardless of whether they are participating in youth deer season, must follow blaze orange/pink clothing requirements. Fabric or synthetic ground blinds on public land must have a blaze orange safety covering on top of the blind that is visible from all directions, or a patch made of blaze orange that is at least 144 square inches (12x12 inches) on each side of the blind.
Adults may not hunt, unless they are in an area open during the early antlerless season and have a valid license. Complete youth season details are available on the Minnesota DNR youth deer season webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer/youth.html).
Hunters can check the chronic wasting disease sampling options and carcass movement restrictions for the deer permit areas where they hunt on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/deerhunt).
Early antlerless-only deer season is Oct. 17-20
Hunters can participate in an early antlerless-only deer season from Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20. The season increases opportunities for hunters in deer permit areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of chronic wasting disease. Permit areas open during the hunt are 214, 215, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 225, 227, 229, 236, 341, 605, 642, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 661 and 701.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers this opportunity to hunters to manage local deer herds. The bag limit is three antlerless deer, and deer taken during the early antlerless-only season do not count against the statewide bag limit or the DPA bag limit. Youth may not tag antlerless deer or legal bucks taken by another individual. Fabric or synthetic ground blinds on public land must have a blaze orange safety covering on top of the blind that is visible from all directions, or a patch made of blaze orange that is at least 144 square inches (12x12 inches) on each side of the blind.
Before participating, hunters should review the specific license and permit requirements available on page 88 of the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting).
Hunters can check the chronic wasting disease sampling options and carcass movement restrictions for the deer permit areas where they hunt on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/deerhunt).
Winners chosen for pheasant and turkey stamp contests
 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has chosen winners for the Minnesota pheasant and turkey stamp contests.
Vernon Center artist Al Steinberg won the Minnesota pheasant stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a ring-necked pheasant. The winner was selected on Oct. 3 from nine eligible submissions. Second place was Stephen Hamrick of Lakeville and third place was Dean Kegler of Alborn. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2025 pheasant stamp.
Bemidji artist Sam Larsen won the Minnesota turkey stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a wild turkey. The winner was selected on Oct. 3 from seven eligible submissions. Second place was Al Steinberg of Vernon Center and third place was Thomas Lofquist of Lester Prairie. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2026 turkey stamp.
The pheasant stamp and turkey stamp can be purchased in combination with hunting licenses or as collectables. Visit the Minnesota DNR stamp webpage (mndnr.gov/stamps) for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.
Minnesota DNR webinars focus on fall cookouts, bobcats
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the fall program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.
In a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 9, Pam Welisevich, naturalist at Dodge Nature Center, will share some of her favorite simple and easy treats that kids, and kids at heart, can make over the fire.
In a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 16, John Erb, DNR research biologist, will discuss bobcats in Minnesota, including the history of bobcats and their management in Minnesota, recent population trends, and important aspects of bobcat biology and ecology. Erb will also share preliminary results from an ongoing radiotelemetry study in northern Minnesota.
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 (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.
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Public comment period about the WMA opens in November
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has designated 1,820 acres of land in Washington County as Minnesota’s newest wildlife management area, named Keystone Woods WMA.
Formerly a cattle ranch, Keystone Woods is one of the largest undeveloped tracts of lands remaining in the metro area. With support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Trust for Public Land purchased the property, and Minnesota DNR and Trust for Public Land wrapped up the state’s acquisition of the Keystone Woods acreage in September 2024.
“This is a prime example of the power of partnerships to protect and conserve Minnesota’s unique landscapes. We are thankful to Trust for Public Land for their years of effort to secure this property for future generations of Minnesotans,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “Keystone Woods WMA will offer visitors incredible opportunities for hunting angling, hiking, wildlife viewing and more right in the Twin Cities metro area.”
Keystone Woods is subject to the standard WMA rules, available on pages 105-106 of the Minnesota hunting regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting).
“This is exciting not only for the ecological benefits that come with protecting more of the St. Croix Watershed, but for the increased outdoor recreational opportunities it provides to millions of residents within an hour drive of the Twin Cities,” said Sophie Vorhoff, Minnesota program director for Trust for Public Land. “Trust for Public Land has been working for decades to expand access to nature through the Keystone Woods area, and we’re grateful for our partnership with DNR to make it a reality.”
Public input period to open in November
According to Gretchen Miller, Minnesota DNR Central Region wildlife manager, next steps at Keystone Woods will include an important public input opportunity.
“Because of its unique proximity to a large metro population, Keystone Woods offers great opportunities to reach new user groups and incorporate outreach and recreational ideas that work well with our WMA system,” Miller said. “Over the last year, our staff has had ongoing conversations with local stakeholders about the property, and we will continue with those discussions. In addition, we’re now excited to gather broader public input and ideas about what Keystone Woods could be.”
The Minnesota DNR plans to open a public input period in late November, including public meetings and an online survey. Details will be available later this fall via public announcement and on the Keystone Woods webpage (mndnr.gov/wmas/keystone-woods-wma.html).
Nontoxic ammunition required at Keystone Woods WMA
Prior to becoming a WMA, owners of the land that now comprises Keystone Woods had a long history of nontoxic ammunition use and the DNR will be continuing that best practice on the unit. Hunters are required to use nontoxic ammunition on Keystone Woods WMA, effective Oct. 7. Information about nontoxic ammunition is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/ammo/nontoxic.html).
The Minnesota DNR encourages the use of nontoxic ammunition on all Minnesota lands and requires it for all special hunts in state parks and scientific and natural areas. More information about nontoxic ammunition is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/ammo/nontoxic.html).
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Celebration to be part of 12th annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener
The public is invited to attend the dedication of new public hunting land in Brown County at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, as part of the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.
The ceremony celebrates approximately 140 acres recently added to the Rosenau-Lambrecht Wildlife Management Area located east of Sleepy Eye.
The dedication ceremony will include comments from local officials, conservationists, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty and others.
Nestled between the Minnesota and Cottonwood rivers, the Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA is home to 568 acres of prairie and wetlands in Brown County. The latest two acquisitions, totaling 140 acres, were led by Brown County Pheasants Forever in 2023. Since the first acquisition in 1972, “Spider Slough” was later named Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA in 1973, in recognition of two local farmers who provided instrumental support in the project. Acquisition and habitat work has continued over the years, with efforts from Brown County Pheasants Forever, the New Ulm chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the Lost Dog and Fox Hunters Club, and other community support.
“Brown County Pheasants Forever is excited for the additions to the Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA,” said Tim Kraskey, Brown County Pheasants Forever Chapter president. “The new parcels will enhance the wildlife habitat and provide more opportunities for hunting on public lands.”
The Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA is known for its diverse habitat that supports a variety of wildlife species. One of the new additions, a 40-acre parcel, consists mainly of native plant species including Showy Tick Trefoil, Wild Bergamot, Yellow Coneflower, and many species of grasses. Restoration will begin this fall on the 100-acre addition to a prairie wetland complex. Both units offer opportunities to observe prairie songbirds and hunt multiple game species including deer, pheasants and other small game.
“This addition is another in a long line of collaborative acquisition projects that the Brown County chapter of Pheasants Forever has led over the decades. This particular parcel will provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities for future generations and safeguard our wildlife heritage for all to enjoy,” said Jeff Zajac, DNR area wildlife manager based in Redwood Falls.
The parcel is located east of Sleepy Eye in Brown County. The land dedication celebration is part of the 2024 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener, which features many hunting, recreational and travel opportunities Sleepy Eye has to offer visitors. The public is invited to attend the land celebration. Onsite parking will not be available at the WMA. Buses will be available for participants starting at 3:30 p.m., leaving from the Sleepy Eye Event Center, 110 12th Ave. NE, Sleepy Eye.
Sleepy Eye is located on U.S. Highway 14, less than two hours southwest of Minneapolis. With a population just under 3,500, Sleepy Eye has an active downtown, and a highly capable and diverse workforce due to multiple manufacturing jobs. Brown County has strong ties to agriculture in southern Minnesota.
Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota DNR are assisting Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce & CVB in planning the event.
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