Minnesota Wildlife

Make a plan for deer season?

Firearms deer season is around the corner! We?re reminding all deer hunters to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable hunt. The DNR?s online make a plan tool?provides a comprehensive step-by-step list of information hunters need to consider before heading to deer camp. The tool covers topics including hunting regulations, deer processing, chronic wasting disease sampling, safety and how to make the most out of a hunt.

Photo courtesy of?Ryan Dunlop

Pledge to take a friend hunting!

The DNR and Pheasants Forever are inviting hunters to join the Hunter Mentor Challenge and take someone hunting who has never hunted before or has not hunted in a while.

When Minnesota hunters make a pledge through the Hunter Mentor Challenge to take a new hunter to the fields or forests, they will qualify for a discount code for ALPS OutdoorZ gear and be entered to win a custom YETI cooler from Pheasants Forever.

The program is open to all types of hunting in Minnesota that are legal and in-season ? including but not limited to pheasants, grouse, waterfowl, squirrels, deer or wild turkey in the fall and spring. People can also participate by taking someone hunting who hasn?t hunted for a few years. Find out how to participate on the DNR page on the Pheasants Forever website.

Warm weather for youth deer and early antlerless seasons

Did you get out hunting for youth deer season or early antlerless season this past week? It was a warm one! Warmth may have made it comfortable for people, but it likely did not help for getting deer moving. Do you have fun hunting photos to share? Please consider sharing them?by uploading them on our website!

Harvest was lower than recent years, with youth harvesting an estimated 5,500 deer during the four-day season (the total may be higher as additional deer were registered after the last count). That total was 7% less than 2019, and 35% less than the 2021 youth harvest.

Early antlerless season harvest was up 13% compared to last year at 4,224 deer harvested.?However, there were eight new deer permit areas added this season so an increase is expected. On average, early antlerless season harvest was down about 10% in DPAs that were open to the season last year.

Looking at all seasons together so far, the cumulative harvest stands at 20,651 deer harvested as of Sunday, which is 9% behind last year and 21% higher than the five-year-mean.

Cumulative harvest totals and other harvest information can be found on the DNR website.

Photos courtesy of Janelle Hahn (top) and?Brent Lien

Deer hunters invited to share wildlife observations

Minnesota deer hunters, please consider using our online questionnaire to report wildlife you see while hunting. Data from the observation logs help the DNR estimate population level trends for deer and track wildlife distribution for other species across the state. Hunters are encouraged to fill out a report after each hunt, even if they don?t see any deer that day. The online questionnaire will be available until Jan. 15, 2023.

Gray fox in a tree courtesy of Scott King, iNaturalist

Know the difference between white-tailed deer and elk

Individual elk sightings are beginning to be reported in a wider geographic area outside of far northwestern Minnesota. Hunters need to make sure they know the difference in the field. The DNR website has drawings and traits listed to help distinguish elk from white-tailed deer. Additionally, people are encouraged to report elk sightings using the DNR?s online elk sighting reporting tool.

DNR grants continue to help more children get outside

We?re pleased to announce another phase of the No Child Left Inside grants. These grants help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike, or simply learn more about nature. Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving youth younger than 18 can apply for No Child Left Inside grants.

Starting Thursday, Oct. 20, the DNR will accept applications for both mini grants (less than $5,000) or larger grants ($5,000-$25,000). The request for proposals will be available on the DNR website. Applications will be accepted through 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. We also have an informational webinar at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to review grant requirements, the application process and to answer questions.

?Start ?em young? photo courtesy of Heidi Wagenman

Webinars cover preserving your harvest, winter fat-tire biking

Webinars are coming up about preserving your harvest and winter fat-tire biking. Find registration information on the DNR website for these free webinars.

The first webinar is at noon Wednesday, Nov. 2. Kraig Kiger, DNR shooting sports specialist, will discuss what to do with a harvest after a successful hunting or fishing trip. The webinar will cover ways to preserve your harvest and provide tips for preparing it.

The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Nov. 9. Gunnar Carlson from Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists will share some of the great opportunities to bike year-round in Minnesota. From trail etiquette to snow grooming, Carlson will share the joy of winter fat-tire biking and tips on getting started.