Minnesota Mixed Bag: Deer lottery application deadline is Sept. 7

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR reminds firearms and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as antlerless permit lottery this hunting season to purchase their licenses by Thursday, Sept. 7. Hunters who purchase their licenses on or before this date are automatically entered into the lottery for the deer permit area or special hunt area they declare.

Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail authorizing them to take an antlerless deer by using their regular license in that antlerless permit lottery area.

More information is available on the Minnesota DNR website and in the 2023 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.

STATE FAIR CONTINUES THROUGH LABOR DAY

Falcon Heights, Minn. — The Minnesota State Fair continues through Labor Day, offering attendees a chance to sample new food offerings, check out the livestock, visit Adventure Park, have their blood pressure checked, and much more.

Visit the DNR Building and grounds while you’re there to learn about raptors, pollinators, and the “animals of the Mississippi.” And be sure to view the native fish pond, located on-site. The Minnesota DNR’s iconic State Fair log building opened in 1934.

Fair hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except Labor Day, when hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets may be bought in advance at discounted prices. At the gate, the price is $18 for those ages 13 to 64; $16 for seniors 65 and older and youths ages 5-12; and free for kids age 4 and under. Stop by and visit the Outdoor News booth while you’re there, at the intersection of Judson and Nelson, near the DNR Building. Ask about new digital subscriptions or renew your print version. Visit mnstatefair.org for more information.

SURPLUS PERMITS AVAILABLE FOR CAMP RIPLEY ARCHERY HUNT

St. Paul — Hunters who missed the lottery deadline for the Camp Ripley archery hunt may purchase surplus permits on a first-come first-served basis beginning Friday, Sept. 1, at noon. Hunters who already received permits will not be allowed to purchase surplus permits. A total of 254 permits remain for the hunt, which will occur Friday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 29.

Hunters may purchase surplus permits at any Minnesota DNR license agent or online at on the Minnesota DNR website. Permits will remain on sale as long as they are available, or until Friday, Oct. 6. The cost of the permit is $14.

Complete details on how to apply, hunt rules, and other important instructions are available on the Minnesota DNR website.

40TH PRAIRIE POTHOLE DAY IS SEPT. 9

New London, Minn. — The Volunteers and Friends of the Prairie Pothole Conservation Association will host the 40th Prairie Pothole Day, Sept. 9 at Stoney Ridge Farm, located new New London.

Prairie Pothole Day will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. and feature a host of programs and events, including trap and sporting clays, a blackpowder shoot, dog distance jumping, seminars, a climbing wall for kids, exhibitors, special raffles, a silent auction, and more.

Admission is free, but adults are encouraged to purchase $10 in raffle tickets. For more information, visit the Prairie Pothole Conservation Association’s Facebook page.

PF/QF APPOINTS WIEGARD AS VP OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Washington — Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever has hired Ariel Wiegard as the organization’s incoming vice president of government affairs. Wiegard, a 15-year veteran of Washington D.C., will now lead policy and advocacy efforts to advance the mission of organization among lawmakers, industry partners, private-lands stakeholders, and other conservation advocates. Wiegard will start her new role with the organization Sept. 5.

Wiegard will help strengthen PF/QF’s national-level advocacy efforts to improve policies that benefit pheasants, quail, and other wildlife, especially as they relate to the ongoing deliberations for a new and improved federal Farm Bill.

Wiegard came to PF/QF after serving as director of government relations for the American Soybean Association. Wiegard also notably served as the director of the Center for Agriculture and Private Lands for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

STARRY STONEWORT CONFIRMED IN LONG LAKE IN HUBBARD COUNTY

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Long Lake, near Park Rapids in Hubbard County.

An aquatic vegetation survey company hired by the Long Lake Association discovered starry stonewort in the lake, and a Minnesota DNR invasive species specialist confirmed its presence. Starry stonewort has now been confirmed in 26 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in Minnesota in 2015.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the Minnesota DNR website.