Minnesota Wildlife

Pheasant numbers increase after favorable spring weather

Pheasant numbers in Minnesota increased 18% from 2021, and exceeded the 10-year average by similar amount, according to the DNR?s annual roadside pheasant survey. When the pheasant hunting season opens on Saturday, Oct. 15, bird numbers are expected to be strong.

DNR seeks applications for advisory committees

We?re recruiting new members to serve on key advisory groups related to Minnesota?s natural heritage, the Game and Fish fund, and wildlife and fisheries management. Check out the opportunities available and find details about how to apply on the Engage with DNR website.?Reminder: The application deadline for some of these groups is Monday, Sept. 19.

Youth waterfowl weekend is this Saturday and Sunday

During the youth waterfowl hunt Sept. 10-11, youth hunters will have a special opportunity to learn how to hunt waterfowl with an adult who is not hunting.

During the two-day hunt, waterfowl hunters age 17 and younger, when accompanied by a nonhunting adult age 18 and older, may take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and moorhens from a half hour before sunrise to sunset. Find regulations, season dates and the DNR?s weekly waterfowl report on the DNR waterfowl hunting page.

Waterfowl stamp chosen

Cannon Falls artist Jim Caturia won the Minnesota waterfowl stamp contest with a painting of a blue-winged teal. Stephen Hamrick of Lakeville earned second place, and third place went to Ron Engebretson of Owatonna. The winners were selected out of 14 eligible submissions. The waterfowl stamp can be purchased in combination with a hunting license, or as a collectable. Visit the DNR stamp contest page for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.

Hunter-harvested birds not allowed into U.S. from Canada

Hunter-harvested, unprocessed wild game bird meat or carcasses that originate from or transit Canada will not be permitted to enter the United States, per new restrictions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Plant and Animal Health Inspection Service. This new restriction is in effect regardless of the Canadian province from which the bird was harvested.

The USDA will allow hunter-harvested wild game bird trophies to enter the U.S. from Canada if the trophies are fully finished. The USDA has specific permitting requirements for trophies that are not finished. Find more information about these requirements on the USDA website.

Deer lottery deadline is today

Firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as antlerless permit lottery this hunting season must purchase their license by today. Hunters who want to participate in a special firearm or muzzleloader deer hunt also need to apply by today for permits that are issued through a lottery. No application is needed to take antlerless deer in permit areas with either sex, two-deer limit, three-deer limit or five-deer limit designations.

Non-toxic ammo requirements in place for some special hunts

Hunters may only possess and use nontoxic ammunition when participating in a special hunt or disease management hunt in a Minnesota state park or Scientific and Natural Area. Bullets, slugs, muzzleloader ammunition and other single projectiles must be made entirely of non-toxic material approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more details, check the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations on page 89.

DNR begins lowering water level of Lake Christina

The DNR has begun lowering the water level of Lake Christina in Douglas and Grant counties to increase the chances of winter die-off of unwanted fish populations that have negative impacts on water quality and aquatic vegetation.

The lake has a fair amount of emergent plant vegetation, which can provide cover for hunters. The lower water levels during the drawdown may make access difficult later in the waterfowl season for hunters with larger boats.

Learn more about the basics of grouse hunting in this webinar

Have an interest in hunting grouse but need to know more? Check out our webinar all about the basics of hunting ruffed grouse. The webinar is at noon Wednesday, Sept. 14. Charlie Tucker, DNR area wildlife manager, and Kraig Kiger, shooting sports program coordinator, will discuss the basics of hunting ruffed grouse including equipment, where and when to hunt, and hunting methods. The webinar is free and registration is required.

Photo courtesy of?Kalli Hawkins