Oct. 18, 2022



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*For Immediate Release:
*

Oct. 18, 2022




*For more information:*
Contact the DNR Information Center
by?email <[email protected]>?or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Field reports: What Minnesota deer hunters can expect this season [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Whitefish and Cisco sport gill netting to open on select Tower area lakes [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Zebra mussels confirmed in Fish Lake in Hennepin County [ #link_1 ]
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Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

*Make a plan for deer hunting season*

As deer hunters enjoy current hunting seasons, and 400,000 hunters prepare for the opening of firearms deer season on Saturday, Nov. 5, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds them to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable hunt.

The DNR?s online make a plan tool [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/DeerHunt) provides a comprehensive step-by-step list of information hunters need to consider before heading to deer camp. Using the tool, hunters can review hunting regulations, plan for deer processing, learn where to get deer sampled for chronic wasting disease if required to do so, how to get a deer sampled for CWD where sampling is optional, and ways to be safe and make the most out of their hunt. To use the online tool, hunters need their deer permit area number, which they can find on an interactive deer map.

In Minnesota, archery deer season began Sept. 17 and continues through Saturday, Dec. 31; youth deer season is Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23; early antlerless season is Oct. 20-23 in select DPAs; firearms deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 5, with various closing dates depending on a hunter?s DPA; and muzzleloader season is Saturday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 11.

*DNR webinars cover CWD testing and related information,
and the tundra swan migration*

The DNR invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that will discuss chronic wasting disease testing and other deer hunting information, as well as the tundra swan migration.

The first webinar is at noon Wednesday, Oct. 19. Logan Neu, with the DNR wildlife health program, will highlight changes to Minnesota deer hunting permit areas, new hunting opportunities, CWD testing requirements and options, and other important information related to deer hunting in areas with confirmed or suspected cases of CWD.

The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Oct. 26. Mary Stefanski, Winona district manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will share information on the fascinating migration of tundra swans, their life story and how people can view them up close before they head south for the year. The tundra swan migration is a highlight of the fall on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. At its peak, which usually occurs the second week of November, there can be as many as 50,000 swans on the refuge, primarily between Wabasha and Brownsville.

The webinars are part of the DNR?s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinars are free but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Discover).

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Field reports: What Minnesota deer hunters can expect this season
A map of the DNR administrative regions

More than 400,000 deer hunters are preparing for the firearms deer season that opens Saturday, Nov. 5. The season offers opportunities to spend time outdoors with friends and family, find adventure and put venison in the freezer.

Deer hunting is the primary tool used to manage deer populations, and hunters help keep deer numbers in line with population goals across the state. Managing deer populations contributes to the overall health of Minnesota?s landscapes, natural systems and economy.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources? wildlife managers report good opportunities to harvest deer in most areas. Hunters need to know the boundaries of the deer permit areas and any chronic wasting disease regulations that apply where they hunt.

Detailed information about each permit area and CWD area can be found on the DNR?s interactive deer map [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Hunting/Deer/Map.html). Additional information about CWD areas, carcass movement restrictions and voluntary sampling can be found at the DNR?s CWD webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/CWD) and hunters are encouraged to use the DNR?s make a plan [ [link removed] ] tool online (mndnr.gov/DeerHunt) to find comprehensive hunting and CWD information to consider before going afield.

*Southern deer report*

A map of the southern region

Weather conditions for deer and other farmland wildlife were again favorable in 2021-22 in most parts of the state. Most winter conditions were average for both temperature and snow depth. Spring was wetter and cooler than average but heat and drought conditions again returned in late summer and early fall. Overall weather conditions had no impact on the deer herd and fawn production was very good.? ?????????

Habitat is in good shape. River floodplains, which offer some of the best deer habitat and deer hunting in the southern region, have had nearly three years to recover from persistent flooding. These floodplain habitats are once again offering excellent deer cover, which bodes well for deer hunters.

Upland grassland areas and wetland basins are in good shape as well, and hunters may encounter lower water levels or completely dry wetland basins due to the deepening drought. Large blocks of grass with embedded wetlands are prime deer habitat in the southern region.??? ????

Overall deer populations are strong throughout the south. All deer permit areas underwent population goal setting last year resulting in additional lottery permits being available for most deer permit areas or increased deer bag limits. The movement toward more liberal harvest strategies reflects a growing deer herd across the southern region. Additionally, hunters are encouraged to make a plan [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/DeerHunt) and must follow any CWD sampling requirements and carcass movement restrictions in their DPA.? ??

As always, the largest uncertainty in determining overall deer harvest is the amount of standing crop remaining in the field during firearms deer season. The crop harvest is in full swing and most corn should be in the bin well before the firearm deer season. Crop harvest usually improves hunter success.



*Central deer report *

A map of the central region

Following dry conditions this past summer, hunters will find small bodies of water or wetlands that are low or dry, which will improve hunter access. Acorn production has been generally good across the region. Because of the dry conditions, hunters should take precautions with campfires, especially when there is no snow on the ground.

Deer populations are robust in central Minnesota and are above goal levels throughout nearly all central Minnesota deer permit areas. Many permit areas allow a hunter to harvest up to three deer, and hunters can harvest up to five deer in DPAs that are part of the CWD management zone. Hunters are encouraged to make a plan [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/DeerHunt) and must follow any CWD sampling requirements and carcass movement restrictions in their DPA.? ??

The forecast for archery and firearms deer hunting this fall is very good.?Wildlife managers in central Minnesota urge deer hunters to take advantage of bonus licenses to harvest antlerless deer to help manage deer populations.

Crop harvest appears to be continuing on track and it?s estimated that most crops will be harvested by the start of firearms deer season.



*Northeast deer report*

A map of the northeast region

Winter 2021-22 weather was moderate or severe [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Mammals/Deer/Management/WSI.html) with deep snow over most deer permit areas in the northeast region. During severe winters, thermal cover and forage availability become more important. In deep snow, deer have more difficulty moving around and become more susceptible to predation.

Many northern permit areas are still struggling to recover deer numbers. As a result, many areas will again have lower antlerless permit offerings or will be bucks only. This will give local deer populations the chance to grow in areas where their numbers are below the established, publicly vetted population goals. The DNR will be reviewing deer population goals [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Mammals/Deer/Management/Population.html) this winter for DPAs in the East Central Uplands goal block covering the southern portion of the northeast region.

The best harvest opportunities will be in the southern portion of the northeast region, where deer numbers are higher and not affected by winter weather to the same extent as the more northern permit areas. The highest deer numbers are expected in areas of mixed habitat of open fields and forest. Current dry conditions will provide good access for hunters. CWD management zones in the region will provide additional harvest opportunities. Hunters are encouraged to make a plan [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/DeerHunt) and must follow CWD sampling requirements and carcass movement restrictions in their DPA.

In the northeast region, three interrelated factors have the most impact on the deer population: forest habitat quality, winter severity and predation. Forest cover, food availability and predator numbers, as well as hunting pressure, vary across the landscape and can make a big difference on local deer populations. Differences in seasonal weather and deer survival, especially over winter, greatly affect local deer numbers. Scouting for local pockets of deer will improve hunter success.



*Northwest deer report*

A map of the northwest region

Last winter was severe in some parts of the region, most notably in the Bemidji area and farther north, according to the winter severity index. While some deer mortality was observed and reported, the deer population throughout the northwest region appears to be in good shape. Some parts of the region, particularly the far northwest, received excessive rainfall last spring, while further south, rainfall amounts were less than average. Summer conditions were much improved from last summer?s drought. Forage availability, including a good acorn crop in most parts of the region, has been reliable. Barring any major rainfall, access to public land should be better than average, with low water in ditches and wetlands.*?*

Deer populations are mostly stable in the region. There are plenty of deer on the landscape and hunters who do their homework and spend time in the woods and fields should have plenty of opportunities to harvest deer.?Many DPAs in the region have two- or three-deer limits, and hunters are reminded to check the regulations for the DPAs they hunt. Some DPAs have lower, more restrictive deer limits because of concerns about last winter?s effect on some local deer populations where winter severity index values were high. Lower deer limits will enable local herds to recover and possibly grow ? some examples include DPAs 114, 184, 203, 251, 258, 269, 270, 271, 272, 287, 297 and 298, which are among DPAs with one-deer limits, as well as permit area 111 in the Baudette area, which is ?bucks only? because deer populations remain below population goal range.

CWD sampling will be mandatory during the opening weekend of the regular firearms deer hunting season in parts of the region, including the East Grand Forks-Crookston-Climax area throughout DPA 661 as well as in DPA 184 and the adjacent DPAs. Hunters should refer to the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations handbook or the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/CWD) for important details about CWD sampling and surveillance, carcass movement restrictions, and deer feeding and attractant bans, and more. Hunters are encouraged to make a plan [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/DeerHunt) and must follow any CWD sampling requirements and carcass movement restrictions in their DPA.???



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Whitefish and Cisco sport gill netting to open on select Tower area lakes

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has set dates for recreational netting of whitefish and cisco, also known as tullibee, on seven lakes in the Tower fisheries work area. These lakes are Schedule I waterbodies, which are more susceptible to sudden changes that impact water temperatures and are opened and closed on a 48-hour notice posted on the DNR website and other public places.

*Schedule I Lakes: *


* Vermilion, Basswood, Fall and Newton lakes: open to netting Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 6 (minimum 3.5-inch mesh size for Vermilion and Newton lakes and minimum 1.75-inch mesh size for Basswood and Fall lakes).
* Shagawa: open to netting Friday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 20 (minimum 3.5-inch mesh size).
* Bear Island and Ojibway lakes: open to netting Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 (minimum 1.75-inch mesh size).

Vermilion, Basswood, Fall, Newton and Shagawa lakes are designated as infested with spiny waterflea so netters should review rules that help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

About 700 people obtain special permits to net for whitefish and cisco (tullibee) each year. Fishing regulations require netters to purchase both a whitefish netting license and an angling license.

The DNR bases netting schedules on expected water temperatures, fish abundance and the vulnerability of game fish. As the water temperature cools, game fish head to deeper water and whitefish and cisco come to shallow water for fall spawning. Netting is allowed when there is little chance that game fish populations would be harmed by recreational netting in shallow water. Game fish incidentally taken in nets must be returned to the water immediately.

Complete information about sport gill netting by lake, minimum mesh sizes, and fishing regulations can be found on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/whitefish-tullibee.pdf) or contact the DNR?s Tower area office, 650 Highway 169, Tower, MN 55790, or call 218-300-7802.

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Zebra mussels confirmed in Fish Lake in Hennepin County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a report of zebra mussels in Fish Lake, near Maple Grove in Hennepin County.

Three Rivers Park District staff contacted the DNR upon finding one adult zebra mussel on a settlement sampler near the south public access to Fish Lake. Settlement samplers are solid surfaces placed in the water, which people can regularly check for attached zebra mussels, to aid in detection.

The DNR and Three Rivers Park District staff conducted a diving and wading search of four areas of the lake and found juvenile and adult zebra mussels at each location. More than 30 zebra mussels were found during the three-hour search.

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one waterbody to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Decon).
* *Spray* with high-pressure water or *rinse* with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another waterbody.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Invasives/AIS/Contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/AIS).





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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ?|? mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

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