Oct. 7, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Oct. 7, 2025




*For more information:*

Contact the DNR Information Center

by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* 12 tips for families to enjoy time outdoors during the MEA school break [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Public invited to land celebration Oct. 10 [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for proposed Reno Bottoms Floodplain Forest and Backwater Restoration Project [ #link_1491412051810 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

*Winner chosen for pheasant and turkey stamp contests*

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has chosen winners for the Minnesota pheasant and turkey stamp contests.

The winning pheasant stamp painting

Lakeville artist Stephen Hamrick won the Minnesota pheasant stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a pheasant. The winner was selected on Oct. 2 from eight eligible submissions. Second place was Matt Linz of Ramsey and third place was Taylor Leback of Thief River Falls. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2026 pheasant stamp.



The winning turkey stamp painting

Vernon Center artist Al Steinberg won the Minnesota turkey stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a wild turkey. The winner was selected on Oct. 2 from six eligible submissions. Second place was Micah Hanson of St. Charles and third place was Matt Linz of Ramsey. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2027 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 [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/stamps) for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.

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12 tips for families to enjoy time outdoors during the MEA school break
A couple standing on a dock in a calm blue lake, gazing at fall colored trees in the distance

Each October, Minnesota’s children get a school break during the Minnesota Educator Academy. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages families to spend time outdoors during the MEA break, which is Oct. 16-17 this year.

The DNR’s top 12 free or low-cost ways for families to enjoy the MEA break outdoors, no matter their skill level or outdoor experience, are:

*1. Visit the DNR’s Fall Color Finder to see where fall colors are at their best*

There will still be plenty of beautiful fall vistas to enjoy in mid-October. Even if leaves have fallen in some parts of the state, a hike through the crunchy leaves on the forest floor can also be fun! Use the DNR’s Fall Color Finder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fallcolor) to see how the leaf color change is progressing when you’re choosing a location for a fall getaway.

Another great way to enjoy the fall colors is with a scenic drive. The DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/news/2025/09/22/take-scenic-fall-color-drive-through-minnesotas-state-forests) has a list of suggested fall color drives through Minnesota’s state forests.

*2. Attend a naturalist program*

Many state parks and recreation areas offer events and programs led by interpretive naturalists. Most naturalist events are free but sometimes require reservations. Check the online events calendar [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar) for a full list of programming and event details. A few upcoming programs include fossil field trips, cute critters puppet shows, sketching in the park, wildlife trivia, seed collection events, and more.

*3. Become a Junior Ranger*

With the free Junior Ranger booklet in hand, explore state parks and recreation areas to learn about plant and animal adaptations that are like superpowers. Pick up a free booklet from a ranger station during open hours, and complete activities in the book to earn points and a Junior Ranger patch. Learn more at the Junior Ranger webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/junior-ranger).

*4. Take a tour*

MEA weekend is the last weekend of the tour season for the three state parks that offer tours: Blue Mounds, Forestville/Mystery Cave and Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine.

At Blue Mounds, experience the sights and smell the rich earthiness of grasses of the prairie as you travel into the bison range on a tour bus. Mystery Cave tours showcase features like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, fossils, and beautiful underground pools. Reservations are available for tours at Blue Mounds and Mystery Cave; visit the DNR’s tours website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/tours) for information.

At Soudan Mine, take a guided tour of the above-ground structures at Minnesota's first and deepest underground mine. Soudan Mine surface tours will not be available Oct. 16-17 but are planned for Oct. 18-19. Please check visitor alerts at the park’s website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/lakevermilion) for updates. No reservations are needed.

*5. Pack a fall-themed picnic*

Pack apples, pumpkin muffins, trail mix or cider and enjoy lunch under the autumn canopy. Most state parks and recreation areas have picnic areas with tables, grills or campfire rings and plenty of space for kids to run and play – visit the Park Finder page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/parkfinder) on the DNR web site to search for locations with the amenities you’re looking for. There are also picnic areas in some state forest recreation areas – find out where on the State Forest A-Z list [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_forests/list.html) webpage.

*6. Watch wildlife*

Fall is a great time to watch migrating birds, deer, and other animals preparing for winter. Bring or borrow binoculars and turn it into a family challenge: who can spot the most species? Birding kits, including binoculars, are available to check out at many state parks. Find locations with kits available on the DNR’s loaner equipment web page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_parks/loaner.html).

*7. Build backpacking skills at an I Can! program*

The I Can! series offered by DNR helps people who are new to outdoor recreation learn the skills and gain confidence to participate in outdoor activities. An I Can Backpack! program is offered at Afton State Park on Oct. 18-19. The program is best for kids ages 10 and up. The cost is $105 per reservation, which covers meals and backpacking equipment for two people and a one-day state park vehicle permit. Learn more or register at the I Can Camp! webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/icancamp).

*8. Do a fall-themed family activity*

Project Learning Tree, an environmental education program with the Minnesota DNR as its state affiliate, offers nature-based activity guides for kids and families. Find guides, including a Signs of Fall family nature activity, on the Project Learning Tree webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/plt).  

*9. Hit the trails for a hike*

Whether people prefer long treks on challenging forest trails or short, easy jaunts down accessible paved trails, state lands offer a trail for everyone. There are trails at state parks, state forests, and 1,500-plus miles of state trails open to everyone. Some Scientific and Natural Areas also have hiking opportunities, although they don’t all have maintained trails. Find trails and safety tips at the DNR’s hiking webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hiking).

*10. Have a campfire night*

Cool evenings make campfires cozy. With hours of daylight waning, there’s time to have a campfire after dark but before the kids’ bedtime. Roast marshmallows, share stories, or look to the sky to spot constellations. Campfire rings are available in most state park and recreation area picnic grounds. State parks are open until 10 p.m. Keep campfires small and manageable, and always have plenty of water and a shovel close by to put the fire out cold. For more information, visit the DNR campfire safety webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/wildfire/prevention/campfiresafety.html).

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In addition to the recreation options listed above, the following opportunities are available to those who have completed applicable firearms safety [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety) or off-highway vehicle [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle) safety training.

*11. Go hunting on public land*

Minnesota has extensive options for hunting on public land. Wildlife management areas, state forests, national forests and federal waterfowl production areas are among those most popular areas for hunting. More information is available on the DNR learn to hunt webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/tips/locations.html).

Additionally, Minnesota has two deer hunting seasons that take place Oct. 16-19. Over this long weekend, the youth deer season is open statewide and the early antlerless-only deer season is open in specific deer permit areas. Important information on these and other deer seasons are available on the Minnesota DNR deer hunting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer).

*12. Ride off-highway vehicle trails*

There are 79 state and grant-in-aid trails for people to ride, thanks to club volunteers and the DNR, or there is great riding in Minnesota state forests! Find trails using the OHV Trail Atlas, which is found on the DNR OHV webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ohv).

Families should keep safety in mind when recreating outdoors in the fall as there are typically hunting seasons from mid-September through the end of February. Hunting is an allowed activity in state recreation areas, state forests and wildlife management areas, and there are special hunts in some state parks and scientific and natural areas. For safety, the DNR recommends everyone visiting areas open to hunting during an open hunting season wear at least one item of blaze orange or pink clothing above the waist. 

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Public invited to land celebration Oct. 10

Celebration to be part of 13th annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener
A person hunting pheasant in a field of tall beige grass

The public is invited to attend the dedication of new public hunting land in Big Stone County at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, as part of the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.

The ceremony celebrates the addition of approximately 158 acres to Big Stone Wildlife Management Area over the past year. The WMA is located north of Ortonville.

The dedication ceremony will include comments from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty, local officials, conservationists and others.

“We’re so pleased to dedicate this public land as part of Big Stone WMA,” said Sarah Strommen, DNR commissioner. “This partnership between the DNR, Pheasants Forever and the landowner reflects how we get conservation done in Minnesota. We work together to preserve public land for future generations."

Located near Big Stone Lake, Big Stone WMA is home to 390 acres of hardwood forest, prairie, wetlands, and food plots. It’s a very popular destination for turkey, deer, dove and small game hunters.

The latest acquisition was led by Pheasants Forever starting in 2022. The previous landowner, Patrick Greuel, passed away in 2021 and willed the land to Pheasants Forever. In turn, Pheasants Forever removed the old building site and sold the property to the DNR to be part of Big Stone WMA. Pheasants Forever will use funds from the sale to further their conservation efforts on other properties.

Since acquiring the property, the DNR has begun installing parking areas and coordinating upcoming wetland reconstructions, prairie restorations and hardwood plantings. Within five years, this property is expected to become an oasis for many game animals, along with a plethora of songbirds and pollinators.

“We are fortunate to have landowners in Big Stone County who share the same vision as Pheasants Forever,” said Kevin Seehafer, president of Big Stone County Chapter Pheasants Forever. “This additional parcel added to the existing Big Stone WMA will ensure there is land available for future generations to enjoy.”

The new addition is just over a mile from the main unit of the WMA, and also near other public lands that can be accessed by hunters and other users.

“The developments on this new property are going to further enhance habitat for pheasants, deer, turkeys, waterfowl, forest and grassland songbirds, and pollinators,” said Curt Vacek, DNR area wildlife supervisor. “The land will provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities and ecological benefits for future generations.”

Onsite parking will not be available at the WMA. Buses will be available to transport participants to the WMA starting at 3:30 p.m., leaving from the Ortonville Armory, 309 Madison Ave., Ortonville.

Ortonville is located along the western border of the state almost midway between the north and south Minnesota borders and about 190 miles west of the Twin Cities. The community is known for scenic landscapes and boasts exceptional fishing and hunting. Ortonville has a population of about 2,000 and is the Big Stone County seat.

Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota DNR are partnering with the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to plan this year’s Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.

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Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for proposed Reno Bottoms Floodplain Forest and Backwater Restoration Project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments on an environmental assessment worksheet for the Reno Bottoms Floodplain Forest and Backwater Restoration Project, located in Houston County. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 pm., Thursday, Nov. 6.

The DNR has proposed a project to restore degraded backwater habitat and floodplain forest along the Mississippi River. The project includes dredging accumulated sediments from an approximately five-acre area of a backwater in Upper Pool 9 of the Mississippi River to create deep aquatic habitat for fish. Dredged material will be used to increase land elevation in about five acres of floodplain to facilitate the re-establishment of forest damaged by flooding and changing hydrology.

A copy of the environmental assessment worksheet is available on the project page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/input/environmentalreview/reno-bottoms-restoration.html).

A print copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5100.

The environmental assessment worksheet is also available for review at the following locations:


* Houston County Public Library, 202 East Cedar St., Houston, MN 55943
* DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, MN 55155
* Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401
* Rochester Public Library, 101 Second St. SE, Rochester, MN 55904

The environmental assessment worksheet notice was published Tuesday, Oct. 7 in the EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ] (eqb.state.mn.us/eqb-monitor), a publication of the Environmental Quality Board.

Comments on the environmental assessment worksheet must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

Email comments should be sent to [email protected] with “Reno Bottoms” in the subject line.

Mail comments should be sent to:

Kathy Metzker, EAW Project Manager

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

500 Lafayette Rd., Box 25

St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

Anyone who provides a mailing address or submits comments via email will receive a copy of the subsequent decision document, which will include responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names as well as email or postal addresses will be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.

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