Minnesota Mixed Bag: DNR seeks input on plan for Buffalo River State Park

Glyndon, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR is seeking public comment on a draft management plan for Buffalo River State Park in Glyndon. The comment period is open through Dec. 17. The new management plan will set the direction for the state park for the next 15 to 20 years.

Recommendations in the draft plan include continuing efforts to restore and maintain tallgrass prairie within the park, improving water access for fishing and boating, and adding more camping opportunities.

As part of the planning process, the DNR will host an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Regional Science Center in Glyndon. In addition to the open house, people may provide comments by emailing or calling: gratia.joice@state.mn.us or (651) 259-5328; or mailing: Gratia Joice, Minnesota DNR, Parks and Trails Division, 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, MN, 551155.

The draft plan is available for review online. Paper copies are also available at the Buffalo River State Park ranger station and the Minnesota DNR regional headquarters in Bemidji.

Buffalo River State Park is home to one of Minnesota’s finest and largest remnant prairies. Many of its buildings and other facilities were built by the Works Progress Administration in the late 1930s and early 1940s and are on the National Register of Historic Places.

BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME OPENS NOMINATION SEASON

Springfield, Mo. — Fresh off an induction ceremony that celebrated three influential members of the bass-fishing community, the board of directors of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has opened the nomination process for the next class of inductees.

Starting immediately, any interested person may nominate deserving individuals for consideration in the hall. Nominees should have made a major impact on the world of bass fishing and brought honor and credit to the sport. Properly submitted nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, but in order to be considered for the class of 2026, they must be completed in full by Jan. 15, 2026. The initial list of nominees will be narrowed to an official ballot to be evaluated by our Selection Panel, which includes 30 members of the industry plus all living hall of famers.

A nomination form is available on the hall’s website and may be returned electronically or by mail.

‘FREE (STATE) PARK DAY’ IS NOV. 28

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR is waiving vehicle fees to all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Friday, Nov. 28. The DNR offers four “Free Park Days” each year to encourage Minnesotans to explore a new park or visit an old favorite, and reap the benefits of spending time outdoors.

Late November offers a variety of outdoor recreation options, including hiking, biking, photography, fishing, and more.

State park visitors can also enjoy several free events on Nov. 28 (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar) including a naturalist-led hike at Wild River State Park, a Free Park Day scavenger hunt at Gooseberry Falls State Park, and a chance to learn about reptiles up close at Lake Maria State Park.

Consider wearing blaze orange or pink. While there are no special park hunts taking place on Free Park Day, hunting may be occurring on land adjacent to state parks and recreation areas.

For more information, visit the free park day webpage.

DNR SEEKS COASTAL PROGRAM PROJECT PROPOSALS

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR is accepting project proposals for the 2026 Coastal Program’s Annual pass-through grants.

Projects must help achieve a coastal management goal, occur within or directly benefit Minnesota’s coastal area, and come from an eligible entity/organization. Project proposals are due by Dec. 11.

Applicants with land acquisition or low-cost construction projects can request up to $150,000. All others can request up to $100,000. Visit: mlscp.dnr@state.mn.us for more information.

The DNR is also accepting capacity grant requests for coastal management activities. Recipients may use these small (up to $4,500) non-competitive pass-through grants for non-dirt moving projects: www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/lakesuperior/grants.html#-text-1-2

WISCONSIN GUN DEER SEASON BEGINS SATURDAY

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin 2025 gun deer season opens on Saturday, Nov. 22, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, hunters should be aware of updates to some of the deer management units for the 2025 deer season. DMUs in the Northern Forest Management zones have been converted to habitat-based units, as opposed to county-based units.

All harvested deer must be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered. Hunters will need the unique harvest authorization number associated with each permit. Proper registration provides accurate harvest data for DNR wildlife managers and county deer advisory councils for the management of Wisconsin’s deer herd.

The DNR encourages hunters to donate Wisconsin-harvested deer through the DNR’s Deer Donation Program. The program helps stock food pantries and supports residents in need throughout the state.