Minnesota Mixed Bag: DNR wants to hear from deer hunters about the 2023 season

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR released its end-of-season questionnaire and wants to hear back from 2023 deer hunters. The questionnaire is an opportunity for hunters to provide feedback on specific deer permit areas, deer management, and what they hope the DNR focuses on in the upcoming years.

The questionnaire takes about five minutes to complete, and they ask what DPA you hunted and what season you participated in. The DNR said this will help shape the 2024 hunting regulations.

Hunters can fill out the questionnaire on the DNR website.

— Brian Mozey, staff writer

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St. Cloud Sportsmen’s Show kicks off Feb. 9

St. Cloud — The 36th annual St. Cloud Sportsmen’s Show comes to St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 9, and continues through Sunday, Feb. 11, bringing with it something for the entire family and one of the year’s first looks at what’s available for the upcoming warm-weather season.

The show will feature new boats, camping gear, travel destinations, and outdoor equipment. Special features include Twiggy the Water-skiing Squirrel, a live-trout pond, and seminars from Joe Henry, of Lake of the Woods Tourism, and Dan Stefanich, a deer- and turkey-hunting guide.

Show hours are noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10; and 1 0 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11. Adult admission is $10; it’s $2.50 for kids ages 6 to 12, and admission is free for youth age 5 and under. For more information, visit www.stcloudsportshow.com.

APPLY FOR TURKEY PERMITS IN MILLE LACS, CARLOS AVERY, OR WHITEWATER WMAS BY FEB. 16

St. Paul — Turkey hunters have through Friday, Feb. 16, to apply for turkey-hunting permits for the A-C spring hunting seasons in Mille Lacs and Carlos Avery wildlife management areas and the A-B seasons in Whitewater Wildlife Management Area.

In addition to a turkey license, a permit is required for those hoping to bag a tom turkey with a firearm in one of these WMAs during early seasons. Turkey firearms permits for these WMAs are distributed via a lottery system.

Turkey licenses go on sale March 1 for several hunting seasons from mid-April to the end of May, with the A season kicking off April 17. New this season, crossbows will be allowed by all hunters with an archery turkey license. For more information, visit: www.mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey.

DNR ISSUES RULEMAKING NOTICE FOR FISHING CONTESTS, AMAS, MORE

St. Paul — A recent DNR rule-making notice pertains to fishing contests, designated waters, and aquatic management areas.

The proposed rules would provide for and clarify exemptions on live-release weigh-in restrictions for fishing tournaments in Chisago County; remove three lakes in Cook County from the listing of designated trout lakes because the lakes are no longer suitable for trout; remove and add state waters designated as spawning beds or fish preserves; and clarify the use of drones on aquatic management areas to make prohibitions consistent with those associated with wildlife management areas.

Comments must be submitted in writing via email or U.S. mail.

Submit comments by March 8 to: Shannon Fisher, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155- 4020, call (651) 259-5206, or email shannon.fisher@state.mn.us

For more information: www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/rules.

NEW MDA GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR DEER FARM FENCING

St. Paul — To help Minnesota farmers and ranchers protect livestock from disease and other risks, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is offering a new grant opportunity to help eligible producers buy and install supplies or equipment that will help prevent disease outbreaks and protect animals not currently covered by existing depredation programs.

The Protecting Livestock Grant Program, also referred to as the Protect Grant, offers one-time competitive grants of up to $10,000 and requires a 50% match. While all types of livestock operations are eligible to apply, priority consideration will be given to those who produce cervids (farmed elk and deer) due to new fencing requirements passed during the 2023 legislative session, as well as poultry and ratites (ostriches and emus).

A total of $500,000 is available, and the MDA expects to award 50 to 75 grants. Applications are currently being accepted through March 7. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting-livestock-protect-grant for more information.