Minnesota Wildlife

Talk with us about deer

You?re invited to talk with DNR staff about deer on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wildlife managers throughout the state will be available to discuss deer-related topics in local area offices or by phone.

In addition to discussing general concerns about deer, you?re free to talk with DNR staff about upcoming hunting season changes, identify topics that the DNR?s deer advisory committee should be aware of, and learn about other opportunities to provide thoughts and feedback regarding deer management throughout the year.

DNR staff are always available and happy to talk with members of the public throughout the year, and we?re setting these office hours to specifically invite conversation about deer management.

More details: Here?s how to contact your area wildlife manager

Photo courtesy of?David Riewe

CWD meetings coming up for Grand Rapids, Climax areas

During two upcoming public meetings, DNR staff with the wildlife health and big game programs will share information about hunting regulation changes, CWD management in the Climax and Grand Rapids areas, and answer questions.?Attend a CWD public meeting in person, virtually or by telephone. The meetings pertain to deer permit areas 679 (formerly 179) and 661 (formerly 261).

• Climax area meeting is?6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22.?Climax area background
• Grand Rapids area meeting is?6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23.?Grand Rapids area background

More details: Get meeting information

Photo courtesy of?Tom Dougherty

Apply for Camp Ripley, youth deer and prairie chicken hunts

We have three hunting opportunities that you can apply for through Friday, Aug. 19.

The fall archery deer hunt at Camp Ripley near Little Falls is a three-day hunt on Oct. 28-30. Apply to hunt at Camp Ripley

Special youth deer hunt permits are for youth who will be 12-15 years old at the time of the hunt. Youth archery hunters in Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area in Sherburne County can be 10-17 years old. There is a limited number of permits for each hunt. Apply for youth deer hunts

Finally, there are 125 permits for the 2022 Minnesota prairie chicken hunting season. The nine-day prairie chicken season begins Saturday, Sept. 24, and is open to Minnesota residents only. Apply to hunt prairie chickens

Photo courtesy of?Anthony Swenson

Waterfowl counts show numbers at or below long-term averages

Spring waterfowl population counts by the DNR provide data that the DNR uses to produce population estimates. This year, the estimates are average or below-average for several species of waterfowl that nest in Minnesota.

More details: Get the results

Photo courtesy of?Kalli Hawkins

Get wild rice conditions reports

Each year we round up wild rice condition reports from DNR area wildlife staff and shallow lakes specialists across the state. The conditions reports are available now on the DNR wild rice page.

Overall, many if not most wild rice waters in northern Minnesota are behind normal schedule this year. A cooler early spring meant many lakes had late ice-out and the wild rice growing season was pushed back up to two weeks. Consequently, wild rice may ripen later than normal and wild rice harvesters going out during the upcoming season will find variable conditions this year in many areas of Minnesota. Ricers need to remember that it is illegal to harvest green rice.

More details: Go to the wild rice page to get the conditions reports. From this webpage, you can also sign up for wild rice email updates.

DNR webinars cover early goose hunting, ammo tips

We?ve got webinars coming up about opportunities to hunt geese in Minnesota before the regular waterfowl season opens, and about hunting ammunition.

The goose hunting webinar is at noon Wednesday, Aug. 24. The hunting ammo webinar is at noon Wednesday, Aug. 31. The webinars are free and registration is required.

More details: Register for the webinars