Minnesota Wildlife

How?s deer season going?

How did firearms deer opener go for you? Looking forward to the second weekend? If you have photos you?d like to share from deer camp, you can submit them online.

We?d also love to hear your stories. From family traditions to first-time hunters, share your story with us for a chance to be featured on our social media. Go to the DNR?s My MN Outdoor Adventure page to upload your outdoor story and photos today!

Photo courtesy of Shawn Rydell

Thank you hunters for getting your deer sampled for CWD

Thank you deer hunters for your help collecting more than 6,000 samples to test for chronic wasting disease this past weekend.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects cervids (the deer family, Cervidae), including white-tailed deer. Since there is no cure, preventing the spread of CWD through harvest is one of the best tools we have to ensure a healthy deer population (and good hunting) for years to come. Learn more on our CWD webpage.

Want to get your deer tested even if it?s not required? We?ve got options for you ? visit a taxidermist or processor participating in the partner sampling program, schedule an appointment with a local wildlife area office, or use a self-service sampling station. Find options near you using your deer permit area number.

Thank you again for doing your part to combat CWD and keep Minnesota?s wild deer healthy!

Harvest numbers available?

Hunters, media and anyone interested in deer harvest data can find current deer harvest figures and harvest reports for past years on the DNR deer reports and statistics page.

The page also features an interactive map and graph that visualizes the data.

Photo courtesy of Steven Yang

Prevent bears from cozying up at your home or cabin

Without snow cover, and now as colder temperatures arrive, be aware that bears are looking for places to den this time of year. You can take steps to keep bears from denning around your home or cabin.

Crawl spaces and underneath decks and porches can be very appealing to a bear. But bears can unintentionally rip out wiring, pull down insulation and do a lot of damage?to floor joists while making themselves a nice winter ?nest.? So make sure your crawl space is closed up tight for the winter, and securely block off any small openings that might attract a bear. As a bonus, you?ll also keep out other critters looking for winter homes, including mice, raccoons and skunks.

Keep in mind that using straw bales around cabins or homes, or out around waterlines and sewer systems, provides lots of denning material for bears. Leaf bags also are something to avoid putting around a crawl space, and they attract mice and other rodents to overwinter around the perimeter of a cabin or house. Instead, consider using pink foam on the inside for insulation. Learn more about keeping bears from denning at your place from?BearWise?and the DNR website.

Webinars cover wildlife photography, state parks

Webinars are coming up about wildlife photography and outdoor opportunities at Minnesota state parks. Find registration information on the DNR website for these free webinars.

The first webinar is at noon Wednesday, Nov. 16. Gordon Dietzman, a retired national park ranger, will discuss what it takes to become a better wildlife photographer, including equipment, where to look for subjects, techniques, composition and ethics.

The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Nov. 23. Sara Joy Berhow from DNR Parks and Trails will share all the great things happening at Minnesota state parks and how you can get active in some of Minnesota?s amazing natural places, including on Free Park Day on Friday, Nov. 25.