In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
DNR webinars cover ice fishing for lake trout,
hunting for shed antlers
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that will discuss ice fishing for lake trout and hunting for shed antlers.
The first webinar is at noon Wednesday, Jan. 11. Scott Mackenthun, an avid ice angler and DNR fisheries supervisor in Hutchinson, will discuss the state?s lake trout fishing opportunities and lake trout biology, and how to apply this information when choosing fishing gear and fishing for lake trout through the ice.
The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Jan. 18. Dawn Plattner, DNR assistant area wildlife manager, will discuss antlers dropped by bucks, bull moose or elk and provide tips on hunting for shed antlers in the late winter or early spring.
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 (mndnr.gov/discover).
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DNR urges everyone to take proper precautions on the ice
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is Saturday, Jan. 14, through Monday, Jan. 16.
During the three-day weekend, any Minnesota resident can go ice fishing for free if fishing with a child 15 years old or younger. Minnesotans 15 years old or younger don?t need fishing licenses any time of the year.
?Ice fishing is pure, simple fun for both kids and adults,? said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. ?For anyone who wants to try ice fishing, we have helpful information on our website to get you started on the way toward drilling holes through the ice and catching fish.?
Check the DNR?s learn to ice fish page (mndnr.gov/GoFishing/Learn-Ice-Fish.html) for more information about ice fishing, including a recorded webinar with tips and techniques anglers can use to have fun catching sunfish, crappie and perch.
Ice conditions vary and there is no such thing as 100% safe ice. Always check local ice conditions before heading out to a lake or river. Visit the DNR ice safety page (mndnr.gov/IceSafety) for ice safety guidelines.
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15 new officers assumed their stations Jan. 4
They?ve taught the next generations of outdoor recreationists how to enjoy their sports safely and ethically; busted poachers; worked closely with conservation officers with decades of experience; and learned the ins and outs of natural resources law enforcement. Since they began training last spring, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources? 15 newest conservation officers have gained the experience necessary to assume their field stations. The officers were stationed Jan. 4.
The 15 officers, some of whom didn?t have previous law enforcement experience and came on through the Conservation Officer Prep program, were among hundreds of applicants with a desire to protect Minnesota?s people and natural resources. They bring with them diverse backgrounds and myriad experiences, but all completed more than seven months of intensive training to prepare them for their new careers.
?Our natural resources are Minnesota?s crown jewel, and our conservation officers are on the front lines of working to ensure future generations have the same or better outdoor opportunities than we have today,? said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR?s Enforcement Division. ?We demand a lot from our conservation officers. I have no doubt these new officers will join their dedicated colleagues in always answering the call.?
There are 155 field stations across the state, each covering about 650 square miles. While this year?s conservation officer class will cut down on the number of vacancies, there still will be more than 15 field stations without full-time, dedicated coverage. The DNR is holding a CO Academy this spring and plans to begin the hiring process next month for a 2024 Academy.
New officers and their stations include:
- Trent Anderson ? St. Cloud
- Mason Bulthuis ? Madison
- Ryan Christenson ? Rochester #2
- Dallas Cornell - Ortonville
- Jesse Drown ? Jackson
- Coby Fontes ? Baudette #2
- Brett Fox ? Bemidji #2
- Anthony Hams ? Warroad #1
- Andrew Ladzinski ? Pine River
- Hudson Ledeen ? Grand Marais #2
- Matthew Paavola ? White Bear Lake
- Dustin Roemeling ? Worthington
- Adam Stennett ? Sauk Rapids
- Benjamin Ulrich ? Osseo
- Felicia Znajda ? Osakis
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Portions of east and south-central Minnesota to be evaluated
Beginning Monday, Jan. 23, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for public input on deer population goals in 23 deer permit areas in eastern and south-central Minnesota.
Opportunities for input will include an online questionnaire, a webinar, and two in-person public meetings for those who wish to connect directly with an area wildlife manager on the topic. Written comments will also be accepted via email at [email protected] or mailed to: Barb Keller, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155. Comments must be received by Feb. 13, to be considered in the goal setting process.
?We?re excited to hear people?s thoughts and encourage anyone with an interest in deer management to give feedback on deer population trends in the areas where they live, work and recreate,? said Todd Froberg, DNR big game program coordinator.
The DNR establishes deer population goals ? how much of a population increase or decrease is desired in a particular DPA ? as part of managing the state?s wild deer.
Population goals established in this process will provide direction for deer management in DPAs for a 10-year period, with a midpoint review at the five-year mark. Goal blocks and the DPAs that comprise them are established based on similar habitat, land uses, deer populations and deer hunter distribution.
The targeted DPAs this year are:
- DPAs 152, 155, 156, 157, 159, 172, 183, 221, 222, 225, 248, 249, 604 in the East Central Uplands goal block; and
- DPAs 219, 223, 224, 227, 229, 235, 236, 285, 338, 605 in the Sand Plain/Big Woods goal block.
The online feedback portal will be open Jan. 23-Feb. 13. Participants will be asked to complete on online questionnaire and indicate whether the deer population in a particular area should increase, decrease, or stay the same and provide their rationale.
A Jan. 23 webinar will give participants information about both goal blocks and explain the goal-setting process. It will be recorded and posted online for those who can?t participate. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide input during the webinar.
In-person meetings during the last week of January will present information about each goal-setting block, seek participant input and allow DNR wildlife staff to answer participants? questions.
?We strongly encourage people to join us for the webinar and in-person meetings,? Froberg said. ?Anyone may participate, regardless of affiliation or knowledge of the process, and we?ll present useful information, answer questions, and provide participants several options to share their opinions.?
Meetings are scheduled:
- Online from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, for the East Central Uplands and Sand Plain/Big Woods goal blocks.
- 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, in the auditorium at the Pine Technical and Community College, 900 4th SE, Pine City, for the East Central Uplands goal block.
- 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the Dakota B Room at Dakota County Technical College, 1300 145th East, Rosemount for the Sand Plain/Big Woods goal block.
Complete details about each goal block, how to participate in the process, meeting schedules and how to access the questionnaire are listed on the?DNR?s website?(mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/population.html).
In 2019, the DNR updated its deer population goal-setting process, which previously obtained input through citizen advisory committees and in-person public meetings. The new format is designed to increase participation and encourage varied perspectives.
The DNR is committed to responsive and responsible deer management for the benefit of all Minnesotans now and in the future. Visit our?deer management page?(mndnr.gov/deer) to learn about the many things we do to manage one of Minnesota?s most popular animals.
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Public can document elk observations using new elk sightings tool on the DNR website
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will conduct aerial elk surveys beginning the second week of January. DNR staff will survey the Kittson County and Grygla elk herds in northwestern Minnesota and the border elk herd in both Minnesota and Manitoba.
The surveys are typically conducted each year during the winter, weather permitting.
Aerial survey information is used to monitor elk populations and help the DNR make decisions about future elk management and harvest regulations.
?We have sufficient snow cover now to start our elk surveys,? said Doug Franke, acting assistant regional wildlife manager and elk survey coordinator. ?We anticipate the surveys will be completed in about two weeks.?
DNR pilots will fly surveys during daylight hours at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet.
The DNR is also asking for help from those who have recently seen elk in their area. People are encouraged to contact their local DNR office with sighting information:
- Karlstad area wildlife office, 218-436-2427
- Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area, 218-633-7671
- Thief River Falls area wildlife office, 218-219-8587
People can also document observations using the?elk sightings tool on the DNR website?(mndnr.gov/elk/elk-sightings.html).
?Thank you to everyone who has reported elk sightings to us,? Franke said. ?These reports provide an important supplement to data from our aerial surveys and help us better understand elk movement and distribution in Minnesota.?
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