Minnesota Mixed Bag: Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to host event at State Capitol

St. Paul — The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association will host “MDHA Day on the Hill 2024” on Wednesday, March 27. Members from the MDHA will come to the State Capitol to talk to legislative members and advocate for deer-related legislation throughout the day.

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the goal to speak to legislators about deer hunting-related bills. Visit www.mndeerhunters.com for more information about the event.

— Brian Mosey, staff writer

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DNR TO HOST OPEN HOUSE AT SAND DUNES STATE FOREST ON APRIL 4

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR invites members of the public to an open house on management activities in the Sand Dunes State Forest on Thursday, April 4, from 6-8 p.m. The open house will be held at the Big Lake Middle School’s Student Center in Big Lake.

“This state forest has a unique mix of ecosystems, and at this open house, the public can learn more about how DNR staff manage the forest to maintain great recreational opportunities, valuable timber, and abundant wildlife habitat,” said Matt Wappler, assistant regional forestry manager.

At the open house, DNR staff will overview the past year’s forest management and recreation projects in Sand Dunes State Forest, as well as activities planned for the next 12 months.

Sand Dunes State Forest, established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1945, consists of about 6,000 acres that are owned and managed by the state. It is home to more than two-dozen rare plants and animals. Located about an hour northwest of the Twin Cities in Sherburne County, the forest is a popular recreational destination for hikers, horseback riders, hunters, and others.

For more information on Sand Dunes State Forest, visit the DNR website.

NONRES ANY-DEER BOW APPS AVAILABLE IN N.D.

Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 337 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2024. Applicants may apply online after April 15 on the NDG&F website.

The deadline to apply is May 15. Up to five hunters may apply together as a party. A lottery will be held if more applications are received than licenses available. A total of 2,124 people applied in 2023.

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15% of the previous year’s mule deer gun license allocation.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $120 MILLION FOR TRIBAL CLIMATE ISSUES

Washington — The U.S. Department of the Interior last week announced that more than $120 million from President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda will fund 146 projects to help tribal communities plan for and implement projects to tackle severe climate-related environmental threats to their reservations.

This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and annual appropriations will help tribes proactively plan for and adapt to these threats and safely relocate critical community infrastructure, where necessary. It is the largest amount of annual funding awarded to tribes and tribal organizations in the history of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Climate Annual Awards Program, with 102 tribes and nine tribal organizations receiving funding.

The funding announcement is part of an overall $440 million investment for tribal climate resilience programs through the president’s Investing in America agenda. Interior also launched the Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation Program in 2022 with an initial $135 million commitment to advance relocation and planning efforts for tribal communities severely affected by climate-related environmental threats.