In This Issue
Recreational use of off-highway vehicles will be restricted on some state forest trails and access routes during the upcoming firearms deer hunting season, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Vehicles affected by the restrictions include all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and registered off-road vehicles, such as four-wheel drive trucks. At certain times of day (listed below), these restrictions do not apply to vehicles being used by a licensed deer hunter in conjunction with deer hunting.
The effective dates of the recreational riding restrictions are:
- Nov. 5-20 for the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season.
- Nov. 5-13 for the Minnesota 200 Series deer season.
Visit the deer hunting page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Hunting/Deer) for more information about deer hunting seasons in Minnesota.
Recreational OHV trails located in southeastern Minnesota close by Nov. 1 each year, so no additional OHV riding restrictions are necessary during deer season in that part of the state.
The restrictions, which do not apply to state forest roads, aim to protect recreational riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and to minimize the potential for conflicts between deer hunters and recreational riders.
Licensed deer hunters may still use restricted routes in conjunction with their hunting activity during the following time periods:
- Before legal shooting time,
- From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and
- After legal shooting hours.
?It?s important to always put safety first,? said Joe Unger, OHV program consultant for the DNR. ?We thank everyone, in advance, for their safety vigilance and for sharing space in Minnesota state forests.?
For more information, visit the OHV Trail Closures page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/OHV/Closures.html); the 2022 deer season online map ?(files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/hunting/deer_map.pdf) or the 2022 hunting regulations handbook (mndnr.gov/Regulations/Hunting); or contact the DNR Information Center at [email protected] or 651-296-6157 (888-646-6367 toll free) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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With many hunting seasons underway, and about 400,000 hunters set to converge on the state?s fields and woods for the Nov. 5 firearms deer opener, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters there?s no such thing as a successful hunt if it isn?t safe.
Done right, hunting is an exceptionally safe activity that brings families and friends together to create life-long memories, and it?s up to every hunter to ensure that trend continues. Three of the main ways to ensure a safe hunt are to:
- Practice climbing into and out of tree stands before the season starts.
- Brush up on the key tenets of safe firearms handling before hitting the field.
- Wear blaze clothing to ensure visibility to other hunters.
?There?s a lot at stake every time hunters head into the field,? said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division. ?Safe hunts don?t just happen by chance ? they happen when hunters make keeping themselves and others safe the top priority.?
Accidents involving tree stands are the leading cause of injury among hunters. According to national data, as many as one in three hunters who hunt from an elevated stand will fall and sustain a serious injury. The number of hunting-related firearms fatalities has dropped significantly over the past 60 years ? largely due to safety training requirements for young and new hunters ? but even one fatality is too many.
These additional safety tips can also help ensure a safe hunting season for everyone:
- Inspect tree stand safety harnesses thoroughly and use them when in the stand and when climbing in and out.
- Maintain three points of contact with the steps or ladder at all times.
- Treat every firearm as if it?s loaded.
- Always control the muzzle.
- Be sure of the target and what?s beyond it.
- Only put your finger on the trigger when ready to shoot.
For more information about blaze clothing requirements, see page 33 of the 2022 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (mndnr.gov/Regulations/Hunting).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on a proposed walleye fishing regulation change for sections of the Otter and Cloquet rivers in St. Louis County. These rivers flow into Island Lake Reservoir and the proposed changes would make the walleye regulation the same for the reservoir and the adjacent river segments.
The proposed regulation change for the Otter River from the mouth to the Boulder Lake dam, and the Cloquet River from the mouth to the rapids a half mile upstream, would require anglers to release all walleye 15 to 20 inches in length ? the same regulation as applies to Island Lake Reservoir.
Spawning walleye from the reservoir concentrate in the river segments in the spring. Consistent regulations between these connected waters will advance fish management objectives by protecting spawning walleye, while also streamlining rules for anglers.
Comments on the proposed regulations change will be accepted through Dec. 2, 2022.
For those who want to provide input in-person, an open house will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Rice Lake City Hall, 4107 W. Beyer Rd., Rice Lake Township. Written comments can be mailed to DNR Duluth Area Fisheries Office, 5351 North Shore Dr., Duluth, MN? 55804 or emailed to?[email protected]. Comments may also be provided by calling the Duluth Fisheries office at 218-302-3264.
If adopted, the proposed regulations would take effect for the 2023 fishing season.
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