Feb. 10, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Feb. 10, 2025




*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 ]
* Tax season donations benefit Minnesota’s at-risk wildlife [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Minnesota DNR fisheries rulemaking proposals open for public comment [ #link_1491412003165 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

*Apply for turkey permits in ‘A’ season for Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMAs by Feb. 21*

Turkey hunters have through Friday, Feb. 21, to apply for turkey hunting permits for the A spring hunting season in Carlos Avery or Whitewater wildlife management areas. There will be 30 permits available for Carlos Avery WMA and 150 permits for Whitewater WMA.

In addition to a turkey license, a permit is required for those hoping to bag a tom turkey with a firearm in either of these WMAs during the A season. Turkey firearm permits for these WMAs are distributed via a lottery system for the A season. While a license is required for all seasons, hunters do not need a permit to hunt Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMAs during the B, C, D, E or F seasons. In addition, this year a permit will no longer be required for firearms hunters during any season to hunt Mille Lacs WMA, but a license is still required.

Turkey licenses will go on sale March 1 for several hunting seasons from mid-April to the end of May, with the A season kicking off on Wednesday, April 16. Crossbows will be allowed by all hunters with an archery turkey license. Turkey hunting season dates and details for 2025 are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey).

Minnesota DNR webinars focus on the American chestnut, birds people love to hate 

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

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, David Stein, DNR conservation partners legacy grant program coordinator, will discuss the status of the American chestnut tree in Minnesota. Stein has been researching American chestnut trees after taking an interest in this species, which has been present in Minnesota for more than 150 years. Stein will discuss the history, distribution, and ecology of the American chestnut in Minnesota, as well as current conservation and restoration efforts being used to ensure the survival of this iconic American tree species. 

Then, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, Amy Simso Dean, an expert Minnesota birder, will talk about birds such as cowbirds, vultures and grackles — birds that are much-maligned but have plenty of beauty and intrigue when people stop and take a closer look. Simso Dean will explore the life histories and behaviors of common species with a bad rap, and maybe help the audience gain a new appreciation for some of the birds that people love to hate.

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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Tax season donations benefit Minnesota’s at-risk wildlife

State tax forms include Nongame Wildlife Fund checkoff

Those filling out their taxes can support the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program by checking the box to donate to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.

Minnesota tax filer donations to the Nongame Wildlife Fund provide essential support to at-risk wildlife. The DNR Nongame Wildlife Program relies on these donations for its critical wildlife conservation work. 

Donations via the Nongame Wildlife Fund tax checkoff support wildlife field research, habitat enhancement projects and educational programs, including popular wildlife cameras like the DNR EagleCam and FalconCam. All donations are tripled with matching funds from the Reinvest in Minnesota critical habitat license plates.

“Minnesotans value and support wildlife diversity and natural resources, and the Nongame Wildlife Fund tax checkoff is a great way to do that,” Nongame Wildlife Program Supervisor Kristin Hall said. “Together, we can work to ensure a future for at-risk wildlife.”  

The Nongame Wildlife Fund tax checkoff can be found on Form M1 Individual Income Tax and on Form M1PR Homestead Credit Refund. If filing on paper, simply look for the loon to invest in the future of Minnesota’s at-risk wildlife. Donations can also be made at any time online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/donate).

More information about the Nongame Wildlife Program is available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/nongame).

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Minnesota DNR fisheries rulemaking proposals open for public comment

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for the public to comment on proposed rules about fishing methods that, if adopted, would go into effect in March 2026.

The rules propose increasing the maximum allowed distance between hooks in tackle configurations with multiple hooks from 9 to 18 inches. The rulemaking also allows for the use of certain automatic hook-setting devices for ice fishing that currently are not allowed and includes clarification of the definition of “hook.” These changes would allow anglers to use a wider range of commercially available products and be more practical for bait commonly used. The changes are anticipated to reduce the number of swallowed hooks and deep hook sets, thereby decreasing hooking mortality without posing a threat to conservation.

Comments can be submitted through Thursday, March 20, by email to [email protected] or mail to Bethany Bethke, Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

More Information, including the proposed rule language and contact information for comments, is available on the fisheries rulemaking page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/input/rules/fisheries/index.html).

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

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