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Oct. 24, 2024
Stay informed! Here’s a summary of upcoming wildlife and habitat management activities and ways you can discover, explore and experience Minnesota’s outdoors.
Field reports: What to expect this season
Are you one of the more than 400,000 deer hunters preparing for the firearms deer season that opens Saturday, Nov. 9? Wondering what conditions have been in the area where you hunt? Check out the regional deer outlooks with information from our wildlife managers.
In Minnesota, archery deer season began Sept. 14 and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 31. Firearms “A” deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 9, with various closing dates depending on a hunter’s DPA. Muzzleloader begins Saturday, Nov. 30, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 15.
“Does before bros!” photo courtesy of Kelly Winston
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Know before you go for a safe and successful deer hunting season
If you’re getting ready for deer hunting, check out our online DPA lookup tool. It provides a comprehensive list of information hunters need to consider before heading to deer camp. Hunters can walk through steps to consider, including knowing the hunting regulations, planning for deer processing, getting their deer sampled for chronic wasting disease, being safe and making the most out of their hunt. To use the online tool, all hunters need to know is the deer permit area number or DPA numbers where they intend to hunt, which they can find on the interactive deer map.
“My view from the stand on opening morning photo” photo courtesy of Ole Olson
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Stay away from the fire in the Chengwatana State Forest
Firefighters are continuing to respond to the fire in Chengwatana State Forest, which is currently 70% contained as of Oct. 24. To support their work and ensure public safety, the Emergency Closure Order for part of the forest (map here), including Chengwatana State Forest Road, remains in place. Information and updates on the fire are available on the InciWeb, and the Chengwatana State Forest webpage will be updated once the closure is lifted.
If you’re looking for other options in the area, the St. Croix State Forest is nearby, as well as a southern segment of Chengwatana State Forest adjacent to Rock Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Thank you for keeping a safe distance and allowing firefighters to do their work!
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Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener to be held in Sandstone
Governor Tim Walz announced that the 2024 Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener will take place in east-central Minnesota at the Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone.
This year’s celebration is organized by the Minnesota DNR and Explore Minnesota, in partnership with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Bluffland Whitetails Association, and the Minnesota Conservation Federation.
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Deer hunting tips webinar coming up
For current and future deer hunters out there, we’ve got a webinar coming up all about deer hunting tips — this one will cover topics like scouting and stands, field dressing and butchering, and there will be time for questions.
You can register for the webinar for free on the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website. The page also has recordings of past webinars, including on late-season pheasant hunting, bobcats, campfire treats, taxidermy, moose management, public lands and deer management.
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Winners chosen for pheasant and turkey stamp contests
The Minnesota DNR 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.
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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 for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.
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Sharing stories from new hunters
We’re sharing stories from hunters who’ve taken someone new hunting and participated in the Hunter Mentor Pledge from the Minnesota DNR and Pheasants Forever. Here’s a story from Dave Buettner of Cottage Grove:
Great hunt with my two grandsons. Hunted PF conservation land in southeastern Minnesota. This was the boys’ second year of hunting after getting each through gun certification training. We had a wonderful weekend of chasing birds up in beautiful grasslands. Thanks PF for everything!!
The Hunter Mentor Pledge from the Minnesota DNR and Pheasants Forever encourages hunters to take someone hunting who has never hunted or hasn’t hunted for a few years. The program is open to all types of hunting in Minnesota that are legal and in-season. Participation is simple and you can find all the details on the Minnesota DNR take a friend hunting webpage.
Photo courtesy of Dave Buettner
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Let’s talk about wildlife
Hunters, trappers and wildlife watchers benefit from the management, habitat and oversight work of the Minnesota DNR’s area wildlife office staff. Have question, comment or concern? Area wildlife staff are happy to talk with you!
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 page. New to hunting? Check out the DNR learn to hunt page.
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